WHO Chief thanks India for resuming export of Covid-19 vaccines to COVAX

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 22, 2021: World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus thanked India for resuming the export of Covid-19 vaccines in order to fulfil its commitment towards COVAX.

 

"Thank you Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for announcing India will resume crucial Covid-19 vaccine shipments to COVAX in October," tweeted Ghebreyesus on Wednesday.

The WHO director-general further said India’s decision to export Covid-19 vaccines "is an important development in support of reaching the 40 per cent vaccination target in all countries by the end of the year".

The central government had halted the export of Covid-19 vaccines in March owing to the sharp surge in cases of infection in the country.

On Monday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that India will resume its Vaccine Maitri programme in October -- to provide Covid-19 vaccines to countries across the world.

Surplus vaccines will be exported as per India’s commitment to the collective fight against Covid-19, he said while addressing the media earlier this week.

Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, Afghanistan, Mexico, DR Congo, Nigeria and the UK were among some of the beneficiaries of the Vaccine Maitri initiative.

The Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access or COVAX is a worldwide initiative spearheaded by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the WHO to ensure equitable distribution of jabs.

Courtesy:India Today