With more than 40,000 COVID-19 cases being diagnosed daily in the country, India is all set to emerge as one of the biggest COVID-19 vaccine buyers in the world, with about 1.6 billion vaccine doses. Speculations have it that these doses could cover nearly 800 million people or about 60% of the Indian population and is touted to be enough to advance herd immunity.

As per credible sources, the country has made a purchase of approximately 500 million doses of the Oxford - AstraZeneca vaccine candidate, 100 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V candidate, and about 1 billion from the US company- Novavax; as suggested by the US-based Duke University Global Health Innovation Center.

Moreover, it has been reported that India has currently validated 1.6 billion doses of vaccines as of 30^th November while the EU and US regions have purchases doses of six candidates.

It has been noted that 1.6 billion doses would cover a potential population of 800 million people, which would be enough to introduce herd immunity. As per official reports, the first 500 million doses are likely to go to 250 million people in the group encompassing- healthcare workers, frontline warriors, emergency services, sanitation, and security services.

Besides, the group would also include geriatric population above the age of 65 along with patients with comorbidities. Apart from these three candidates, Bharat Biotech and Zydus-Cadila are also estimated to add about 400 million doses annually over 2021-2022.

A potential source has cited that all the vaccines already booked by India are being currently produced by Indian companies Novavax and Oxford-AstraZeneca by SII (Serum Institute of India) in Pune & Sputnik V by Dr. Reddy’s Lab. In addition to this, India’s own domestically manufactured vaccine candidate by Bharat Biotech has also entered Phase 3 clinical trials, bringing in hope for COVID-19 cases curtailment.

Source Credit: https://www.thekashmirmonitor.net/india-biggest-buyer-of-covid-19-vaccine-with-1-6-billion-doses-could-cover-60-population/