India coronavirus: Can its vaccine producers meet demand?
Source: BBC
India coronavirus: Can its vaccine producers meet demand?
By Shruti Menon
BBC Reality Check
7 April 2021
The head of the Serum Institute of India (SII), one of the world's largest manufacturers of coronavirus vaccines, has said its production capacity is "very stressed".
The SII had been supplying vaccines around the world, including to the Covax scheme for middle and low income countries. But India has put a temporarily halt on these exports.
Can India meet its domestic needs?
India has a major challenge inoculating its own population.
"We are prioritising the needs of India", said Adar Poonawalla, the head of SII said in an interview on Indian television, but added "we are still short of being able to supply to every Indian."
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The largest of these, SII - which produces Novavax and AstraZeneca vaccines - has warned of raw material shortages affecting production.
Its chief executive, Mr Poonawalla, attributed this to US export bans on specific items needed to make vaccines, such as specialised bags and filters.
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Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55571793