Covaxin production to be raised 10x by September, says Harsh Vardhan

Production of Covaxin to rise 10 times in September; Coronavirus vaccine supplies for small states are being replenished in a week, says Harsh Vardhan

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Updated Apr 19, 2021 9:52 AM IST

Covaxin production to be raised 10x by September, says Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said production of Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin will rise 10 times by September. He added that remdesivir manufacturing will be doubled to 74.1 lakh each month by May. He said steps are being taken to increase the basket of vaccines available. Coronavirus vaccine supplies for small states are being replenished in a week, whereas, for big states, it is every four days.

Total 20 manufacturing plants have been given express permission to ensure the continuous supply of remdesivir. Besides, exports of the lifesaving drug have been prohibited and prices have been capped. Strict monitoring will take place to stop the hoarding and black marketing of remdesivir.

#Remdesivir

Production being doubled to 74.1L/month by May
Express permission given to 20 manufacturing plants to increase production
Exports prohibited
Prices capped
Strict monitoring to curb any malpractice, hoarding & black Marketing@PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA
Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) April 18, 2021

To handle the rising COVID-19 caseload, the number of beds will be enhanced by setting up temporary hospitals and dedicating wards at hospitals under union ministries. Currently, the Centre is providing additional facilities in Maharashtra (1121), Uttar Pradesh (1700), Jharkhand (1500), Gujarat (1600), Madhya Pradesh (152) and Chhattisgarh (230).

Dr Harsh Vardhan mentioned enhancing the supply of medical oxygen, adding that oxygen supply for industrial purposes has been prohibited. The Union Minister said oxygen supply will, however, remain uninterrupted for industries such as ampoules and vials, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refineries, steel plants, nuclear energy facilities, oxygen cylinder manufacturers, wastewater treatment plants, food, and water purification and process industries that need the continuous operation of furnaces, processes, etc. as approved by state governments.

Number of beds for #COVID19 patients to be enhanced by
Setting up temporary hospitals
Dedicating wards at hospitals under Union Ministries

Additional ventilators being provided by GoI
Maharashtra-1121
UP-1700
Jharkhand-1500
Gujarat-1600
MP-152
Chhattisgarh-230
Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) April 18, 2021

Enhancing & pacing up supply of medical #oxygen

Oxygen supply for industrial purposes prohibited except few select industries

Special trains Oxygen Express to transport oxygen cylinders & liquid medical oxygen

Green corridors to facilitate fast movement of these trains pic.twitter.com/iC5xZaN1oL
Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) April 18, 2021

Meanwhile, the Railways is likely to dispatch 10 empty cryogenic road tankers on Monday to fetch oxygen from the Jharkhand industrial belt for Maharashtra. These empty tankers will be moved from Kalamboli/Boisar railway stations in and near Mumbai to Vizag and Jamshedpur/Rourkela/Bokaro for loading of liquid medical oxygen. The Railways had formulated a policy on the transportation of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) to various states on April 16.

Edited by Mehak Agarwal

Also read: COVID surge: Delhi's Chandni Chowk market to remain shut till April 25

Also read: Railway Ministry to transport liquid oxygen to help states combat COVID surge

Also read: Oxygen supply for industries to be diverted to hospitals amid growing demand

Published on: Apr 19, 2021 9:41 AM IST