‘World Vaccine Factory’ India Stops Exporting AZ Vaccine… World vaccine supply’red light’

Input 2021.03.26 00:10

India, which is known as the’World’s Vaccine Factory’ by making about 60% of various vaccines used around the world, recently temporarily suspended the export of AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccines. This is for the indication of the second corona19 epidemic and the domestic supply of vaccines.

The BBC broadcast on the 25th (local time) cited an Indian diplomatic source and announced the suspension of AZ vaccine exports and predicted that it will affect the supply of vaccines by the end of April. The source said, “The export of (AZ vaccine) has been temporarily suspended,” and “domestic demand should be prioritized.”

A source from Reuters also said, “Everything has been pushed to the rear for the time being,” and “Until India’s internal situation stabilizes, there is no export, nothing.” India has exported more than 6,000 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to 76 countries so far.

UNICEF (UNICEF), a partner of the vaccine co-purchase and distribution organization COVAX, explained that the supply of AZ vaccines that India has decided to deliver to COVAX may be delayed. UNICEF said, “The AZ vaccine supplied by India will be provided to underdeveloped countries through KOVAX. We are in consultation with the Indian government to deliver it as soon as possible. AstraZeneca vaccine produced in Korea is also in supply less than expected,” I heard.”

India’s temporary suspension of exports is expected to disrupt the supply of AZ vaccines to more than 190 countries, including middle and low-income countries. Delivery to the UK, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Morocco has already been delayed. In Korea, SK Bioscience is commissioned to produce AZ vaccine.

The reason India has decided to stop exporting AstraZeneca vaccines is to inoculate its own people. This is because, as the number of corona19 confirmed patients in Korea has recently increased, and the vaccine target will be expanded to’all citizens aged 45 years or older’ starting from the 1st of next month, the demand for vaccines is expected to increase rapidly.

India’s corona 19 confirmed cases were added to 47,000 the previous day, recording a cumulative record of 1,173 million on the day. The cumulative number of deaths is 160,000.