Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of Pune-based Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest producer of vaccines in volumes, has promised Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray, the delivery of 1.5 crore doses of Covishield vaccine in Maharashtra after the 20^th of May, 2021.

As per ANI news agency, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, “Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has promised the Chief Minister to deliver 1.5 crore doses of Covishield to Maharashtra after May 20. We will start the vaccination for the 18-44 years age group after we receive the vaccine.” The State cabinet had held a meeting on 12^th May to discuss the COVID management.

Maharashtra suspended the COVID vaccination for the 18-44 years age group temporarily due to the shortage of vaccines. With the domestic supply falling short to meet the rising demand, states and union territories including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana have decided to opt for global tenders to procure the vaccines.

Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Oxford’s Astra Zeneca’s Covishield being manufactured by SII are currently used in India’s inoculation drive against Covid-19. As per media reports from official sources, SII’s Government and Regulatory Affairs Director, Prakash Kumar Singh, has assured the nation that production of Covishield would be ramped up to 10 crore doses each in August and will be maintained at that level in September. Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech also submitted its production plan for the next four months to 7.8 crore doses by August 2021.