Govt holding discussions with Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson; MoS G Kishan Reddy

New Delhi, June 02: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy on Wednesday informed that the central govt is in talks with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, to boost the COVID vaccine availability in the country.

 

While speaking at the inauguration of a COVID-19 vaccination drive, Reddy also said that the Centre has made plans to vaccinate all the people of the country against Covid-19 by December after speaking to pharmaceutical companies. He also assured that everyone will get the vaccine.

 

Minister Reddy added that the government is expecting 250 crore vaccine doses to be available by December 2021. "The government has made action plans to vaccinate everyone by the end of December (2021) and for the production of 250 crore vaccine doses after speaking to several pharma companies. Sputnik arrived in Hyderabad yesterday and discussions are on to get the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson shots too," Reddy said.

 

 

The minister pointed out that the government had even relaxed import rules so that private hospitals can import COVID-19 vaccines from abroad.

 

“India stands third compared to other countries, in terms of vaccinating its citizens. We have simplified import rules so private hospitals can import vaccines. The vaccination drive will run for the next 7-8 months. Be assured that everyone will get the vaccine,” the union minister said.

 

 

The remarks came on a day after when some news channel informed that the Union government is mulling to give indemnity against legal proceedings to Pfizer and Moderna similar to the ones granted by other countries.

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