India produces 60% of the world's vaccines, but it is also one of the countries with the largest number of coronavirus cases in the world, second only to the United States.
It must not only provide its own vaccine needs, but also fulfill its commitment to produce a share of the global supply.
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Source: Media reports |
Main Indian vaccine makers
SIITwo vaccines (one approved)Bharat BiotechTwo vaccines (one approved)
Biological ETwo vaccines (in trial phase)
Zydus CadilaOne vaccine (in trial phase)
Gennova BiopharmaOne vaccine (in trial phase)
Dr Reddy's LabOne vaccine (in trial phase)
Can it meet this demand?
How much vaccine can India produce?
At the moment, there are two approved vaccines in India - Covishield (the local name for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine developed in the United Kingdom), and one called Covaxin.
There are others undergoing experiments, which are also produced in India.
Indian pharmaceutical companies have been reported in recent months to ramp up production by adding new facilities or converting existing product lines.
The largest producer, the Serum Institute of India (SII), says it can already produce between 60 and 70 million doses of vaccine per month.
Bharat Biotech says it aims to produce 200 million doses of vaccine per year, even though only 20 million doses of Covaxin are currently available.
Other companies producing the vaccines undergoing the trials are in talks with authorities in India and other countries about providing these vaccines when they are ready.
So far, there are few details on the amounts involved.
What are the vaccination requirements for India?
The Indian government has said it will vaccinate 300 million priority people by the end of July as part of its initial response to the virus.
The vaccination program is set to start on January 16, and healthcare workers and frontline workers will be the first to receive vaccinations.
It aims to give 600 million doses overall within seven months - about 85 million doses per month.
As of now, the largest manufacturer, SII, says it has 50 million doses that have been tested in high quality and ready to trade.
The company told us that details of the percentage to be exported, or kept for local use, are still in preparation.
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