Expert group in talks with Pfizer for vaccine supply: Mansukh Mandaviya

New Delhi: An expert group of the Union government is in talks with global pharma major Pfizer over Covid vaccine supply, said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the minister said, "The Prime Minister has said many times not to politicise vaccination programme. It is our aim to vaccinate every citizen above 18 years of age in the country. This is not the time to do politics. An expert group of the government is still in talks with Pfizer over Covid vaccine supply."

Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State, Health Ministry said, "A total of Rs 9,725.15 crore have been spent so far on the Covid-19 vaccination programme including procurement of vaccines and operational cost for vaccination. A total of 135 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine are expected to be available between August 2021 and December 2021."

Dr Pawar informed that advance payments have been made to domestic manufacturers of Covid-19 vaccines so that no delay in procurement arises. "There has been no delay in entering into purchase agreements with the domestic vaccine manufacturers. Advance payments have also been made to manufacturers for the supply orders placed with them," added the Union minister.