omicron:   India vows to stand by Africa, says all Covax orders cleared | India News – Times of India

omicron: India vows to stand by Africa, says all Covax orders cleared | India News – Times of India

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NEW DELHI: Expressing support for Africa, which has been rattled by the discovery of Covid-19 variant Omicron, the government on Monday announced it had cleared all orders placed so far by the UN-backed Covax programme for supplies of Covishield vaccines, including to African countries like Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Lesotho.
The government expressed solidarity in a statement with countries, particularly in Africa, that have so far been affected by Omicron. India’s announcement followed China’s pledge the same day to supply a billion vaccine doses to Africa. The MEA said in a statement that India had also cleared supplies of Covaxin to Botswana. “Any new requirement projected either bilaterally or through Covax will be considered expeditiously,” it said.
“The government of India stands ready to support the countries affected in Africa in dealing with the Omicron variant, including by supplies of Made-in-India vaccines,” said the government. It said it is also ready to supply essential drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment. As the government recalled, India has so far supplied more than 25 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines to 41 countries in Africa.
With many countries hastily banning all travel to and from South Africa and its neighbours, official sources said India felt it was important to stand by countries in the southern African region.



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