After Days Of Bad Press US Says It Will Now Urgently Ship Raw Materials Needed For India's Vaccine Production

United States of America (US) authorities announced Sunday late evening (25 April) that the US has identified raw materials required for India's vaccine poduction and that these materials would be shipped urgently.

A statement from the authorities said that US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke by phone today with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Sullivan reportedly expressed 'deep sympathy for the people of India following the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.'

"Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need.", the press release said.

The statement says that United States is working around the clock to deploy available resources and supplies. It further adds that the 'United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India.'

In addition to raw materials for vaccine production the US has also reportedly identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE) that would be immediately made available for India. Further, oxygen generation equipment and associated supplies are also being pursued, the statement adds.

The statement further mentioned that the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling BioE to ramp up to produce at least 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022.