India temporarily halts exporting AstraZeneca vaccine: SL less likely to get affected

India has temporarily halted all exports of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, the Foreign Ministry of India stated.

The decision has been due to the rising domestic demand and the jab doses are needed for their own rollout. The “temporary squeeze” is expected to last till the end of the month April.  

Sri Lanka is one the countries that are likely to be affected due to the COVAX vaccine facility led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

However, according to the State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, Sri Lanka is expected to receive another consignment of 500 000 doses of vaccines since Sri Lanka had already placed the order for the purchase.