Diplomats trying to unblock export of 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from India

Ukrainian diplomats are working to obtain export permit for 1.5 million doses of Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India.

"Two million doses were to arrive in the country by March 31. However, the Indian government imposed restrictions on vaccine exports. Currently, our diplomats in India are actively working to obtain export permit for the remaining 1.5 million doses provided for in the contract," Health Minister of Ukraine Maksym Stepanov announced at a briefing.

He also noted that the supply of vaccines under the COVAX Facility was delayed. "We expected to start receiving these vaccines from mid-February as was confirmed in the documents," Stepanov commented.

He stressed that such delays happened due to insufficient production of coronavirus vaccines in the world and high demand for them.

As reported, the Ministry of Health expects to receive 1.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine under the international COVAX Facility by the end of spring.

On February 23, 500,000 doses of Oxford / AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine were delivered to Ukraine. The purchase was made at the public expense through the Crown Agents. In total, Ukraine is to purchase 12 million doses of Oxford / AstraZeneca and NovaVax at the public expense.

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