Centre places fresh order for 440 million Covaxin, Covishield doses

Additionally, 30 per cent of advance for procurement of both the Covid Vaccines has been released to Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech, says govt

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a centralised vaccine procurement system, the Government of India, on Tuesday, has placed fresh orders for 440 million jabs.

The government has placed an order with Serum Institute of India (SII) for 250 million doses of Covishield and with Bharat Biotech for 190 million doses of Covaxin.

"With the aim to further universalise the countrywide vaccination drive, all citizens above 18 years of age can receive the coronavirus vaccine doses free of cost at government health facilities," said the union health ministry.

These 440 million doses of vaccines will be available till