India will focus on its domestic vaccination programme following a spike in Covid-19 cases and the planned expansion of the immunisation drive, and there will be no expansion of vaccine exports, people familiar with developments said on Wednesday.
The people said on condition of anonymity that there will be no ban on exports, though supplies to other countries will be made only after meeting domestic needs.
They also said future exports are linked to the ramping up of domestic production capacities.
So far, India has supplied 60.4 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to around 80 countries. The total supplies include vaccine doses sent as grant assistance, under commercial contract and through COVAX, which is a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The people said India will fulfil the existing commitments made to various countries and exports will depend on domestic demand.
“There will be no expansion of exports for next few months. The situation will be reviewed after around 2-3 months as we are focusing on ramping up vaccine production,” said one of the people cited above.
