Indian Govt’s Expert Group In Talks With Pfizer For Supply Of COVID Vaccine: Union Health Minister

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that an expert group of the Indian government is in talks with global pharma major Pfizer about the supply of COVID vaccines.</p> <p>Speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Health Minister stated, "Prime Minister has said many times not to politicise vaccination programme. It is our aim to vaccinate every citizen above 18 years of age in our country. This is not the time to do politics. An expert group of the Indian government is still in talks with Pfizer over COVID vaccine supply."</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <span style="color: #e03e2d;"><a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/3eOuYse" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1471533" aria-describedby="tooltip301100">Delhi: Tilak Nagar Market Shut Down Till July 27 Over Violation Of COVID-19 Protocols</a></span></strong></p> <p>The health ministry also informed parliament that Rs. 9,725.15 crores has so far been spent on the COVID-19 vaccination programme.</p> <p>Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, stated, "A total of Rs. 9,725. 15 crores have been spent so far on the vaccination programme including procurement of vaccines and operational cost for vaccination. A total of 135 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine are expected to be between August 2021 to December 2021."</p> <p>Dr. Pawar stated that advance payments have been made to domestic manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines in order to avoid a delay in procurement.</p> <p>"There has been no delay in entering into purchase agreements with the domestic vaccine manufacturers. Advance Payments have also been made to manufacturers for the supply orders placed with them," added the union minister.</p> <p><em>(With Agency Inputs)</em></p>

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