COLOMBO – The Government of India is set begin delivery of its COVID-19 vaccine to several neighbouring countries from Wednesday (20), but Sri Lanka is not included in the list as necessary regulatory clearance has not been confirmed.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo, in a press release issued on Tuesday (19) said the Government of India will being supplying Indian manufactured vaccines, under grant assistance, to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles from Wednesday (20), but noted it was awaiting necessary regulatory clearance from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius.

The press release said India, while responding to requests for the supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries, was delivering on the government’s stated commitment to use its vaccine production and delivery capacity to help all of humanity fight the Covid pandemic.

Noting that the immunization program was being implemented in India, as in other countries, in a phased manner, to cover the healthcare providers, frontline workers and the most vulnerable first, the release said, the government will continue to supply COVID-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner, keeping in view the domestic requirements.

The release also noted that the government would ensure manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad.

It explained that prior to the delivery of vaccines, a two-day training program covering administrative and operational aspects, was being conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday for immunization managers, cold chain officers, communication officers and data managers of the recipient countries, both at national and provincial levels.

India had earlier supplied hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries during the COVID19 pandemic, the release noted, highlighting that the country has also provided training to several neighbouring countries to enhance and strengthen their clinical capabilities, under the Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials (PACT) program.

Separately, it said several training courses have been organized for healthcare workers and administrators of partner countries under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, sharing India’s experience in dealing with the pandemic.

In an ongoing effort, India will continue to supply countries all over the world with vaccines, the release said, elaborating that the supply would be calibrated against domestic requirements and international demand and obligations, including GAVI’s Covax facility to developing countries.

-ENCL