Why India is banning the export of newly approved vaccines – By Aniruddha Ghosal and Sheikh Saaliq (Associated Press) / January 3 2021
India will not allow the export of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine for several months, the Serum Institute’s CEO said Sunday. That means poorer nations won’t have access until March or April.
India authorized two COVID-19 vaccines on Sunday, paving the way for a huge inoculation program to stem the coronavirus pandemic in the world’s second most populous country.
But India will not allow the export of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine for several months, Adar Poonawalla, Serum Institute’s CEO, said Sunday. The ban on exports means that poorer nations will probably have to wait a few months before receiving their first shots.
The company also has been barred from selling the vaccine on the private market. “We can only give (the vaccines) to the government of India at the moment,” Mr. Poonawalla said in an interview with The Associated Press, adding the decision was also made to prevent hoarding.
With rich nations reserving most of the vaccines that will be made this year, Serum Institute — the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer — is expected to make most of the inoculations for developing countries.
