The government never imposed any ban on the export of COVID-19 vaccines, says Rajesh Bhushan

NEW DELHI:

The Union government has issued a statement saying that the government has not banned the export of COVID-19 vaccines.

Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Commerce, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) did not initiate any action.

"Therefore, (we) request our media friends (to) be on guard when such misinformation is ought to be spread," Bhushan said.

"The joint statement issued by the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech states two important elements. One, being that the vaccines are a global public health good and the second being that we communicate our joint pledge to provide global access for COVID-19 vaccines," he said.

"Neither the union govt nor vaccine manufacturers are talking of any bandh on the export of vaccines," he added.

On January 3, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gave their approval to the Serum Institute of India's Covishield, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin after the subject expert committee of the drug regulator recommended both the vaccines for emergency use authorisation.

(Edited by Ladiangti Rani)

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