Brazil plane coming to take '2Mn' Covishield doses from India even as MEA says 'too early'

Days after Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite a shipment of Oxford/AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, India on Thursday said it is still assessing production schedules and availability of vaccines. Ministry of External Affairs has also said that vaccine supply to or countries "may take some time."

Brazil sends aircraft to collect vaccines

Brazil has officially anunced  dispatch of a special aircraft to transport two million doses of Covishield from India. According to an official joint press release from Brazilian Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry and Health Ministry, an Airbus A330neo aircraft of Azul Airlines was set to fly back from Mumbai with two million doses of vaccine from Serum Institute of India and reach country on January 16.

" flight will cover about 15 thousand kilometres to India. Airbus A330neo is largest aircraft in company's fleet and will be equipped with specific containers to ensure temperature control of doses in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations," it said. 

" AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine will be distributed to Brazilian states within five days after approval of National Health Surveillance ncy (Anvisa). Immunization all over country will be carried out simultaneously and free of charge," it ded.

" Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Embassy in New Delhi, has me arrangements with Indian authorities and Serum Institute of India, following up on a letter from President Jair Bolsonaro to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dated January 8, and is providing assistance regarding international travel issues and procedures. Ministry of Defense will contribute to security of land transportation to states," release said.

RE |  foreign he as Chief Guest in this year's Republic Day pare; first time in 55 years

RE | Will take out tractor rally on R-Day, hoist flag at Amar Jawan Jyoti: BKU's Rakesh Tikait

'This may take some time': MEA

However, in response to questions on supply of vaccines to neighbouring countries and media reports that Brazil is sending a plane for procuring vaccine doses, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava on Thursday in an online briefing said, "In so far as requests from countries for vaccines from India, you would recall that Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has alrey stated that India's vaccine production and delivery capacity would be used for benefit of all humanity in fighting this crisis." 

"As you kw, vaccination process is just starting in India. It is too early to give a specific response on supplies to or countries as we are still assessing production schedules and availability to take decisions in this regard. This may take some time," he said. 

India's drugs regulator has approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute, and indigeusly developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch India's COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16 via video conferencing.

RE | WhatsApp 'open to answering any queries' on privacy policy amid reports of govt evaluation

RE | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warns China & Pak, says 'India will retaliate if provoked'

(With PTI inputs)