WHO welcomes India's decision to resume export & donations of excess vaccines from next month

The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya received a message in this regard from WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this morning . India which has earned the title of pharmacy of the world is the biggest maker of vaccines overall – put a brake on vaccine exports in April to focus on inoculating its own population .

The resumption of exports deliberations come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington where vaccines are likely to be discussed at a summit of the leaders of the Quad countries – the United States, India, Japan and Australia.

The Health Minister said that the renewed export drive, known as 'Vaccine Maitri', will prioritise the global vaccine-sharing platform COVAX and neighbouring countries first policy.

India's monthly vaccine output, Mr Madaviya said, has more than doubled since April and is set to quadruple to over 300 million doses next month.