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Ajit Doval gets US to change its stand; India to get the vaccine raw materials it needs

The United States will also immediately supply therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment. It will also pursue options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis.

Covid India to get the vaccine raw materials it needs-VPN
Author
New Delhi, First Published Apr 26, 2021, 9:18 AM IST

The United States has agreed to supply specific raw materials required for the urgent manufacture of the Covishield vaccine.

The breakthrough came after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held talks with his United States counterpart Jake Sullivan.

The United States had earlier turned down Serum Institute of India's request for access to raw materials needed for its Covid vaccine, citing domestic interests.

The United States will also immediately supply therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment.

Washington will pursue options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies urgently.

Sullivan said his country is determined to help India in its time of need, just as India had sent assistance to the United States as its hospitals were strained early in the pandemic.

The Joe Biden administration has received flak both on social media and supporters of the Democratic party for not releasing surplus Covid-19 vaccines to India when the country is experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis.

Offering further assistance, the US Development Finance Corporation will fund an exponential expansion of manufacturing capability for vaccine manufacturer BioE in India, enabling the company to ramp up production to at least 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2022.

Additionally, an expert team of public health advisors from the Center for Disease Control and USAID will be deployed to work with the US Embassy, Indian health ministry and its Covid task force.

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