New Delhi: The Centre on Monday rubbished allegations that the government has not placed any fresh orders for the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines for its national immunisation programme. 

There have been some media reports alleging that the Centre has not placed any fresh order for Covid-19 vaccines. The news reports suggest that the last order placed with the two vaccine makers (100 million doses with SII and 20 million doses with Bharat Biotech) was in March 2021. These media reports are completely incorrect, and are not based on facts,” said the Union health ministry in a statement issued on Monday.

The Central government clarified that 100% advance of ₹1,732.50 cr (after TDS ₹1699.50 cr) was released to Serum Institute of India (SII) on April 28, 2021, for 110 million (11 crores) doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June and July, and was received by them on April 28, 2021. As of date, against the last order of 100 million (10 crores) doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 87.5 million (8.744 crores) doses have been delivered till May 3, 2021.

Serum Institute of India locally manufactures Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine under the brand name Covishield.

The ministry also said that 100% advance of ₹787.50 cr (after TDS ₹772.50 cr) was released on April 28, 2021, to Bharat Biotech India Ltd (BBIL) for 50 million (5 crores) Covaxin doses during May, June and July, and was received by them on April 28, 2021. As of date, against the last order of 20 million (2 crores) doses for supplies of Covaxin vaccine, 8.8 million ( 0.8813 crores) doses have been delivered till May 3, 2021.

“Hence, to say that fresh orders have not been placed by Government of India is not correct,” the ministry said.