Looking at vaccine manufacture, delivery ecosystem: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi: At a time the world is racing against time to find a safe and effective vaccine against Covid-19, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday said that India has initiated looking at robust vaccine manufacturing and delivering ecosystem to meet demand in the coming days.

India, with second-highest coronavirus cases after the US, has at least five vaccine candidates under human trial, of which three candidates are undergoing advanced Phase-2/3 clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy.

In his address at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Harsh Vardhan said: "We have now initiated to look at robust vaccine manufacturing and delivering ecosystem to meet our demands in the coming days."

"As the world raises to find a cure and vaccine for Covid-19, India is looking to be self-reliant in both - vaccine and its mass production. Called as the pharmacy of the world, India has the largest capacity to produce Covid-19 vaccines," he added.

Recently, the Health Minister had informed that the Centre has modified an electronic network to monitor the dosage of Covid vaccines, vaccinators and geographical location of the vaccine recipients.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting in which the modalities of Covid-19 vaccine delivery, distribution and administration were discussed. He reassured that the government is keeping watch on developments.