COVID-19 vaccine: Delhi High Court asks SII, Bharat Biotech to disclose capacity
The court said the two companies which have developed the vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) have more capacity but it seems that it is not being exploited
The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to explain the rationale behind keeping strict control over class of persons who can be vaccinated against Covid-19 currently as under the present system those above the age of 60 years or with comorbidities can receive vaccination.
The court said the two companies which have developed the vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) have more capacity but it seems that it is not being exploited.
“We are not utilising it fully. We are either donating it to foreign countries or selling it to them and are not vaccinating our own people. So there has to be that sense of responsibility and urgency,” said a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli.
The court directed the two institutes to file separate affidavits on their capacity to manufacture the vaccines on per day/week/month basis and also the current optic of the vaccines and how much unused capacity is lying.
Adar Poonawala, the chief executive officer of the Siram Institute of India, had earlier said that he would increase the capacity for Covishield in partnership with AstraZeneca to 100 million doses per month.
In January 2021, Poonawala said that at that time, 7 crore doses were available in stock. He said 50% of the total production is for India’s use while 50% will be distributed under the Covax (World Health Organization) campaign.
He had said that if the company makes 6-7 crore doses every month, then the needs of both India and other countries will be met.