Home ›› 27 May 2021 ›› World Biz
India added 2.11 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours while deaths from Covid-19 rose by 3,847. The country's overall caseload now stands at 2.73 crore, while total fatalities are at 3.15 lakh, according to the health ministry, reports NDTV.
India is the second country after the US to have crossed 20 crore cumulative Covid-19 vaccination coverage. The country achieved the milestone in 130 days as against the USA's feat in 124 days, the health ministry said. More than 1.38 crore beneficiaries of age group 18-44 have been vaccinated so far, it said.
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is likely to supply over five crore Covid-19 vaccines to India in 2021, albeit with a few conditions, according to news agency ANI. The drugmaker - which has reportedly said that its vaccine is suitable for all aged 12 and above - has asked for relaxations in some clauses, including indemnification for its shots, ANI reported quoting sources.
The government is also looking at the possibility of securing a part of Johnson and Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine, news agency PTI reported. Hyderabad-based Biological E, which will manufacture the vaccine in India has, however, proposed to manufacture about 30 crore doses exclusively for the Indian market by December and has sought "funding support" from the government. Its vaccine candidate is currently in phase 1/2 clinical trial phase.
India is currently using mainly two 'made-in India' vaccines - Serum Institute's Covishield and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech - and Russian-made Sputnik V at a smaller scale to inoculate its population, all of which are approved only for those aged 18 years and above. Covaxin is expected to shortly start trials for the 2-18 age group.
The Central government's vaccine acquisition policy needs to be simplified, Uday Kotak - one of the country's top bankers - has said. The current fragmented policy of multiple buyers -- where the Centre buys 50 per cent and the rest is left for the states and the private sector without any guidelines -- is not sustainable, Kotak indicated.
India has recorded over 19 lakh Covid cases since May 19. Over 28,000 people have died in the same time period. The daily cases dropped below the 2 lakh-mark on Tuesday for the first time after April 14.
