Sisodia says Bharat Biotech refused to supply vaccine doses demanded by Delhi, hits out at Centre

Sisodia said Bharat Biotech has refused to supply the doses citing directives from the government and limited availability.

"Once again I would say exporting 6.6 crore doses was biggest mistake. We are forced to shut down 100 Covaxin-vaccination sites in 17 schools due to no supply," he wrote.

Sisodia said Delhi has asked for the supply of 1.34 crore doses, equal doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield, to vaccinate the 18-44 age group.

The AAP leader lashed out saying that Bharat Biotech has clearly stated that it cannot supply the additional doses asked by the Delhi government and the quota of each state is decided by the Central government.

"Covaxin has written clearly in a letter to us that they cannot give us vaccines because they are not available. They say they cannot give us more than the official authority, that is the Centre, has said. Covaxin supply to Delhi has stopped and they have clearly said that they will give vaccines according to the central government's guidelines," he said.

"They say that the Centre will decide who will get how much vaccine".

However, Bharat Biotech has said it is "disheartening" that some states are questioning its intentions.

Bharat Biotech co-founder Suchitra Ella tweeted a response. "Covaxin dispatched 10/5/21.18 states have been covered though in smaller shipments. Quite disheartening to the teams to hear some states complaining about our intentions. 50 of our employees are off work due to Covid, yet we continue to work under pandemic lockdowns 24x7 for you," Dr Ella posted.

Sisodia also demanded that the Centre must procure vaccines from the international market and stop export of vaccines immediately.

"Like Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal suggested, since both companies have limited production capacity, the formula should be taken from them and given to other companies who can make vaccines and there should be mass production," he said.

"Stopping exports, procuring vaccines should be the centre's responsibility and vaccinating people at the earliest should be the state's responsibility," Sisodia said.