India to supply Bharat Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine free of cost to Myanmar, Philippines, Mauritius

As part of India's vaccine diplomacy, it will supply over eight lakh doses of indigenous Covid-19 jab Covaxin free of cost to friendly countries including Myanmar, Philippines and Mauritius as a goodwill gesture.

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has secured a fresh letter of comfort from Indian government for another 45 lakh doses of Covaxin, sources said today.

More than eight lakh doses to be given free of cost is out of the 45 lakh doses, our New Delhi correspondent reports quoting the sources.

"The doses (over eight lakh) which the company promised to supply to various countries will be monitored through the Ministry of External Affairs," they added.

"The company was given a fresh letter of comfort recently for supplying another 45 lakh doses of Covaxin. The doses will be dispatched when the ministry places orders with the company," said the sources.

Bharat Biotech earlier received the Indian government's purchase order for 55 lakh doses and also donated 16.5 Lakh doses to the government.