Optimistic about 216 cr jab availability by Dec, says NITI

New Delhi, July 2

The Centre on Friday said the previously projected Covid-19 vaccine availability of 216-crore doses by December this year was optimistic and based on industry assessment of its capacities to deliver.

Days after the Health Ministry told the Supreme Court that 135 crore doses would be available till December — a contrast to the projection of 216 crore doses made earlier – Member, Health, NITI Aayog VK Paul today said the 2.1 billion dose estimate was optimistic and aspirational.

“The projected availability of 216 crore doses we shared earlier was the estimate of our vaccine manufacturing companies. These were optimistic estimates. We had used the term optimistic while making that projection which we collated based on the roadmap of our producers. But let me assure, the vaccine situation is satisfactory even if we depend on two main suppliers Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech,” Paul said, adding that the number of 216 crore doses by December was “aspirational”.

Meanwhile, amid state governments continuing to flag vaccine shortages, the government said 12-crore doses would be available to states in July. — TNS