The first batch of COVAXIN has been dispatched to the Central Government for further distribution.
The Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech International Private Limited pharma company sent the first batch on the 4th of January.
The batch of COVID-19 vaccine would be used for immunisation drive which is set to start soon in India.
Dr. Krishna Ella, the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Bharat Biotech said, “We have already sent the batch to the Central Research Institute in Kasauli.”
However, Mr. Ella did not disclose the quantity of vials sent to the Government.
Dr. Ella also did not share information on the order specifying the quantity of the doses it received from the Government.
The batch of COVID-19 vaccine was dispatched after the Central Research Institute (CRI), under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO,) gave approval for the emergency use authorisation for the vaccine.
Dr. Ella also said that the firm has 20 million doses ready and is confident to manufacture 80 million more by July.
Meanwhile, the company is aiming to manufacture 700 million doses of COVAXIN in the future with four new facilities it is ramping up in South India.
The amount of the COVAXIN is yet to be revealed but would be affordable.
Dr. Ella said, “Initially it may cost more but as the production scales up, the price would come down with more competition in the market.”
So far, Indian Subject Expert Committee (SEC) under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and DCGI approved COVAXIN and the Serum Institute of India (SII) made Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.
The Union Health Ministry also assured the launch of the Novel Coronavirus vaccine for the Nation by May 2021.
Stay tuned for further updates.
