US to send raw materials for COVID-19 vaccines to India

New Delhi, Apr 25 (UNI) The United States has assured to immediately provide raw materials for COVID-19 vaccines, medical equipment and protective gear to India to help it fight against the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 infections, a White House Official said on Sunday.
“United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India,” said US NSA Jake Sullivan to NSA Ajit Doval.
An official statement issued by Sullivan read, “US has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and PPE that will immediately be made available for India. US is also pursuing options to provide oxygen generation & related supplies on an urgent basis.”
“The US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling (Hyderabad based) 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 Center 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,” the statement added.
It also listed other initiatives Washington is taking to help India battle its surge, but did not mention sending a surplus AstraZeneca vaccine, as a backlash grows over the fate of the US stockpile of some 30 million doses which have not been approved for use.
The step was taken after the US’ top medical adviser on the pandemic had said that they are actively looking at ways to boost aid to India as it grapples with surging coronavirus cases.