Countries around the world are racing against time to vaccinate their populations against the coronavirus.
But India has thus far been a poor performer, with only 9.6% of its population receiving a vaccine so far (compared to 51.8% in the UK, 45% in the US, 32.1% in Germany, and 14.9% in Brazil).
While there are a few issues plaguing the vaccine rollout, the most egregious is the fact most Indians, many of whom live in poverty, are being made to pay for their shots. And the government is allowing vaccine producers to charge whatever they like.
Not enough jabs
To cover its entire adult (over 18 years) population, India needs 1.9 billion doses of vaccines. If these vaccines were to be administered over the next 12 months, India would need 161 million doses each month, or 5.4 million doses each day.
This is the reason that Jaishankar stressed while in the US that the pandemic cannot be fought if only a part of the world is protected and other parts are neglected.
China s condition that Nepal sign a non-disclosure agreement for commercial procurement has put the Nepalese government officials in a fix, people in the know in Kathmandu told ET. A non-disclosure agreement implies a legally binding contract establishing a confidential relationship, which would mean many details, including the price, are not made public.
May 27, 2021, 11:23 AM IST
Kathamndu: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday announced to provide 1 million doses of vaccines to Nepal to help in preventing the further spread of the coronavirus. Xi announced the donation during the telephone conversation with Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Wednesday.
“During today s phone conversation with Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will provide 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal under grant assistance,” Ambassador of the People s Republic of China to Nepal said in a tweet.
According to the Nepal Foreign Ministry, the two leaders discussed and exchanged their views on overall bilateral relations including COVID-19 related cooperation.