India is set to restart the export of COVID19 vaccines under the Vaccine Maitri program in the fourth quarter starting October 2021 to fulfill India’s commitment towards COVAX, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday.

“The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya announced resuming of Vaccine Maitri in the fourth quarter starting October 2021,” the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and WHO.

According to the ministry, the Union Health Minister informed that India will be resuming the export of Vaccines under Vaccine Maitri to fulfill the commitment of India towards COVAX, in line with our motto Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.  

“He informed that the surplus supply of vaccines will be used to fulfill our commitment towards the world for the collective fight against Covid-19,” the ministry said.

Highlighting the importance of indigenous research and production of Covid vaccines in India, Mansukh Mandaviya said: “It is due to the relentless efforts and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India was simultaneously undertaking Research and production of Covid vaccines in line with the global developments.”

“India’s vaccination drive has been a role model for the world and it is marching ahead with great speed… More than 4 times we have crossed one crore since the Vaccination drive was commenced on 16th January,” the minister added.

Informing about the expected production in the coming months, Mandaviya said that more than 30 crore doses will be produced in October and more than 100 crores in the coming quarter vaccines will be produced.

India had banned the vaccine exports in April when the second wave of the pandemic began to peak after supplying over 66.3 crore doses to other countries under the categories of grant, commercial and COVAX agreements.