Over 200 Crore COVID-19 Shots To Be Available By End Of 2021: Government

Despite being the global hub of vaccine manufacturing, India has been able to fully vaccinate less than 3 per cent of its population so far.

More than 200 crore doses of coronavirus vaccines will likely be available in India between August to December this year, a top government advisor said on Thursday, raising hopes that the country may be able to overcome setbacks from its inoculation strategy. Those doses would include 75 crore of AstraZeneca's, vaccine, produced in India by the Serum Institute of India, as well as 55 crore doses of Covaxin, made by Bharat Biotech, government advisor VK Paul told reporters at a news conference on Thursday. "Two billion doses (216 crore) will be made in the country in five months for India and for people of India. The vaccine will be available for all as we move forward," the NITI Aayog member said, adding by the first quarter of the next year, the number is likely to be 300 crore. Despite being the global hub of vaccine manufacturing, India has been able to fully vaccinate less than 3 per cent of its population so far as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has faced accusations of dropping the ball on acquiring enough vaccines on time.