Expert Group In Talks With Pfizer For Vaccine Supply: Health Minister

The health ministry also informed the Parliament that Rs 9,725.15 crore have been spent so far on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in India.

An expert group of the Indian government is in talks with global pharma major Pfizer over COVID vaccine supply, said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday. Speaking at Lok Sabha, Union Health Minister said, "The Prime Minister has said many times not to politicise vaccination programme. It is our aim to vaccinate every citizen above 18 years of age in the country. This is not the time to do politics. An expert group of the Indian government is still in talks with Pfizer over COVID vaccine supply." The health ministry further informed the Parliament that Rs 9,725.15 crore have been spent so far on the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State, Health Ministry said, "A total of Rs 9,725.15 crore have been spent so far on the COVID-19 vaccination programme including procurement of vaccines and operational cost for vaccination. A total of 135 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine are expected to be available between August 2021 to December 2021."