The Government of India has given a cumulative order for 16 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to two Indian companies - Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech India Ltd.

The Government of India has also released 100% advance of Rs. 1,732.50 crores (after TDS Rs. 1,699.50 crores) to Serum Institute of India (SII) on 28th April for 11 crore doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June and July, and it was received by SII on the same date. As on date, against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, 2021.

Additionally, 100% advance of Rs. 787.50 crores (after TDS Rs. 772.50 crores) was released on 28th April to Bharat Biotech India Ltd. (BBIL) for 5 crore Covaxin doses during May, June and July, and was received by them on the same date. As on date against the last order of 2 crore doses for supplies of Covaxin vaccine, 0.8813 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, 2021.

As of 2nd May 2021, the Government of India has provided 16.54 crore vaccine doses to States/UTs free of cost. More than 78 lakh doses are still available with the states/UTs to be administered. More than 56 lakh doses in addition will be received by the States/UTs in the next 3 days.

Under the Liberalised Pricing & Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, Government of India would continue to procure its share of 50% of the monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccines and would continue to make it available to the State Governments totally free of cost as was being done earlier.