India Orders 300 Million Shots From Biological-E Amid Shortage

(Bloomberg) --

India ordered 300 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine from local manufacturer Biological-E, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government comes under pressure from the nation’s Supreme Court to cover more of the population.

An advance 15 billion rupees ($205 million) will be paid to the Hyderabad-based company, the government said in a statement Thursday. Phase 3 trials are currently on and the firm will prepare the order between August and December.

Supreme Court Asks Modi to Make Inclusive India Vaccine Policy

The Supreme Court this week asked Modi’s administration to prepare a vaccination policy that prices the shots equally for all and better protects the poor. India’s plans have had a rough ride, starting from Modi’s much lauded vaccine diplomacy during a brief lull between the first and second coronavirus waves, to a current severe shortage for India’s own citizens.

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