Ensure timely and secure access to vaccines for all, India to WHO

Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla has said that India is working with several other countries in the World Trade Organization on a targeted and temporary waiver under TRIPS to ensure timely and secure access to vaccines for all. He said, India is also looking forward to World Health Organization’s approval for India’s indigenous vaccine Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech.While addressing at the WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Health Partners Forum on COVID-19 on Thursday, Shringla has said, India is dealing with unprecedented economic and social disruptions due to challenges posed by the COVID-19. He said, these challenges require a response at multiple levels. He said, it requires not just a whole-of-government approach but a whole-of-society approach. He added that it also requires sourcing solutions and capacities on a global basis.

Shringla further said, India is part of the discussions with major vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna about sourcing and possible local manufacturing of their vaccines in India. He said, India has also helped to expedite the introduction of Sputnik-V vaccines. Highlighting the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foreign Secretary said that the Ministry has acted as the global arm of the Government of India’s Empowered Group to procure essential raw materials and medical supplies for COVID-19. He said, India will continue to facilitate supplies of essential raw materials and components. He said, it also played a key role in organizing the ‘Vande Bharat’ Mission which has facilitated the movement of seven million people.