US lifts ban on supplies to India for COVID vaccine |
The US government has lifted the export ban on the essential raw materials required by vaccine manufacturers in India. This followed a phone conversation 25th April between India`s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan. Doval emphasised the spike in COVID-19 infections and deaths in India, requesting the supply of raw materials. The US affirmed solidarity with India especially during the most challenging times. Several US lawmakers voiced their concerns over the COVID-19 situation in India and exerted pressure on the Biden administration to extend assistance, release raw materials critical for India. White House spokesperson said the US has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India. The US has also identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India. The United States also is pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis. The U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling BioE to ramp up to produce at least 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022. Additionally, the United States is deploying an expert team of public health advisors from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and USAID to work in close collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, India`s health ministries, and India`s Epidemic Intelligence Service staff. USAID will also quickly work with CDC to support and fast-track the mobilization of emergency resources available to India through the Global Fund. In a tweet, US President Joe Biden said that America is determined to help India deal with the spike in Coronavirus cases, just as India helped Americans when US hospitals were strained early in the pandemic. US Vice President Kamala Harris also tweeted, "The US is working closely with the Indian government to rapidly deploy additional support and supplies during an alarming COVID-19 outbreak. As we provide assistance, we pray for the people of India - including its courageous healthcare workers".The Biden-Harris dispensation was slammed across the social and business spectrum for perceived indifference to India. An Air India flight carrying 318 oxygen concentrators will be arriving in New Delhi from the the US in a day.
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