Centre in talks with international vax makers for a year: NITI Aayog member

Updated On: 28 May, 2021 07:37 AM IST | New Delhi | Agencies

Covid task force head V K Paul says Pfizer, Centre working together for earliest import of its doses, but adds vaccines are in limited supply globally

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A health worker feeds a Covid patient inside Dhanvantri hospital, in Ahmedabad, on Thursday. Pic/PTI

As soon as Pfizer indicated vaccine availability, the Centre and the company started working together for the earliest possible import of the vaccine, NITI Aayog member V K Paul said on Thursday.

Paul, who heads India’s Covid-19 task force and is the Chair of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19, said the Centre has engaged continuously with all the major international vaccine manufacturers right from mid-2020. “Multiple rounds of discussions have happened with Pfizer, J&J and Moderna. The government offered all assistance to have them supply and/or manufacture their vaccines in India.” But, Paul said their vaccines aren’t available in free supply. Pfizer, which is ready to offer 5 crore doses to India between July and October, has sought certain relaxations, including indemnification.