US agrees to release raw material required for Covishield vaccine production in India.
The US on Sunday agreed to provide it raw materials for vaccines that had previously been under export controls, as well as other key material. White House National Security Advisor to US President Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan spoke to Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on Sunday and agreed to deploy more supplies, resources, raw material for vaccine production in India.
"Spoke today with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval about the spike in COVID cases in India and we agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days. The United States stands in solidarity with the people of India and we are deploying more supplies and resources," White House National Security Advisor wrote on Twitter.
"The US is deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India. We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic..." he added.
"The United States is working around the clock to deploy available resources and supplies. The United States has indentified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacturer of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India," Jake Sullivan informed.
"...identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and PPE suits that will (also) be made immediately available to India," Sullivan further mentioned.
ALSO READ | Over 550 oxygen generation plants to be set up in govt hospitals through PM Cares Fund: PMO
Move after Biden administration faced criticism
The Biden administration has come under criticism from several quarters, including from members and supporters of the Democratic party, for not releasing surplus COVID-19 vaccines to India when the country is experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged the Biden administration to release doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to countries currently experiencing the deadly surge in COVID-19 cases.
"We are currently sitting on close to 40 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the US stockpile, a stockpile which we’re not using and which we’ve already opened to combat COVID-19 in Mexico and Canada,” he said.
To curb the spread of this virus internationally and to protect public health and the international economy, the US needs to get these vaccines out the door now, he said.
"I respectfully but strongly call on the Biden administration to release millions of AstraZeneca vaccine doses to countries hardest hit by the spread of COVID-19, including India, Argentina, and potentially others, he added.
Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna said that the leadership of the influential Congressional India Caucus will discuss with the government officials and the Indian envoy in the US to send urgent health supplies to help India fight its battle against coronavirus.
"The US-India caucus leadership will be discussing with government officials & Indian Ambassador on a bipartisan basis to send AZ vaccines we will never use, PPE, oxygen and other immediate aid. Time is of the essence to mobilize,” Khanna said on Sunday.
ALSO READ | Misleading tweets on Covid situation removed to stop panic mongering: Govt
