Mission COVID Suraksha: Govt announces 900 cr stimulus package for vaccine development

The Government of India (GOI) has announced the third stimulus package of Rs 900 Crore for the Mission COVID Suraksha- The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission.

This grant will be provided to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Research & Development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines.

The COVID-19 Vaccine development Mission will help accelerate the development of approx. 5-6 vaccine candidates. It will ensure that these are brought closer to licensure and introduction in the market.

As the country is going through the Covid-19 pandemic, the government is taking all measures to fight it at all levels. The grant will help the development of several vaccines for its wide availability.

Phase-I of the COVID Suraksha Mission has been allotted Rs.900 Crore for a period of 12 months.

A total of 10 vaccine candidates have been supported by the Department of Biotechnology so far in both academia and industry. As of date, 5 vaccine candidates are in human trials including the Russian Vaccine Sputnik-V with at least 3 more in advanced stages of preclinical to enter human trials shortly.

Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology and Chairperson BIRAC said, “Mission COVID Suraksha is our targeted effort to enable the development of indigenous, affordable and accessible vaccines for our country and will complement the National Mission of AtmanirbharBharat."

“India has exhibited enormous strength in vaccine manufacturing and through this National COVID Vaccine Mission, we are confident that our vaccine manufacturers will develop affordable and accessible vaccine not only for India but the world”, she added.