India is set to resume the export and donations of excess vaccines beginning next month,  this was stated by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at a press conference today.

The renewed export drive, known as 'Vaccine Maitri' will prioritise the global vaccine-sharing platform COVAX and neighbouring countries first, Mr Mandaviya said.

COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO. COVAX works to guarantee fair and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines for every country in the world.

We will help other countries and also fulfil our responsibility towards COVAX and neighbouring (countries) first," he told reporters, adding only excess supplies would be exported.

He said that the country’s vaccine production has more than doubled since April and is set to touch 300 million doses in October.

Total production could top 100 crores in the last three months of the year as new vaccines from companies such as Biological E are likely to be approved, he said.

India, the world's biggest maker of vaccines overall, stopped vaccine exports in April to focus on inoculating its population as infections exploded.

The government wants to vaccinate all of its 94.4 crore adults by December and has so far given at least one dose to 61 per cent of them.