India to supply over 1 billion doses of COVID vaccines to UNICEF as part of COVAX scheme

United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday anunced that it has entered an agreement with Serum Institute of India (SII) for a long-term supply of up to 1.1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to around 100 countries. UNICEF said that deal would allow ncy to access over 1 billion doses of vaccines for approximately $3 a dose that will be distributed worldwide to low- and middle-income countries. deal is part of COVAX programme that is being run by World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. 

Read: Govt Places Second Purchase Order With SII For 1 Crore Doses Of Covishield

Serum Institute of India will supply over 1 billion doses of vaccines that are currently being developed by pharmaceutical giant in India following transfer of techlogy from AstraZeneca and vavax. Serum Institute of India is world's largest vaccine manufacturer in terms of sheer volume that it produces each year. 

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"And we have some good news in that regard. Today we are pleased to anunce conclusion of a long-term supply agreement with Serum Institute of India for covid-19 vaccines, to access two vaccine products through techlogy transfer from AstraZeneca and VAVAX. UNICEF, along with our procurement partners including PAHO, will have access to up to 1.1 billion doses of vaccines for around 100 countries, for approximately $3 a dose for low- and middle-income countries," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said during a briefing on COVAX. 

Read: 'Hope To Launch COVOVAX By June 2021': SII's Adar Poonawalla Anunces 2nd Covid Vaccine

India to give 1 million doses to UN

Last week, External Affairs Ministry anunced that India is planning to give 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to United Nations as part of COVAX initiative. India also said it will gift 10 million doses to Africa. India has gifted over 55 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines to its neighbouring countries so far, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, and Mauritius. India is also planning to commercially sell COVID-19 vaccines to Saudi Arabia, Canada, and or countries. 

Read: SII CEO Adar Poonawalla Takes Shot Of COVISHIELD Vaccine, Says 'to Endorse Its Safety'

(Im Credit: AP)