The projection of 216 crore Covid vaccination doses between August and December was described as 'Aspirational' by theCentre

The government admitted on Friday that the 216 crore Covid vaccine doses projected between August and December this year were "aspirational," and that the figure lowered to 135 crore doses in the Supreme Court may be more feasible.

Senior officials noted that these estimates should be considered in the "proper context" during a press briefing held by the Union ministry of health and family affairs on the country's Covid status.

When we suggested the estimate of 216 crore vaccines between August and December of this year, we said unequivocally that we compiled the statistics provided by our vaccine manufacturers using their responsible, optimistic, and aspirational roadmap. In India, the private sector is extremely powerful because it contributes so much to the GDP. They are well-known vaccine conglomerates. VK Paul, a member of the Niti Aayog's health committee, said, "We aggregated what they showed."

The government had taken into account the prospective availability of Biological E, Zydus Cadila's DNA vaccine, Novavax, and Bharat Biotech's nasal vaccines in its prior estimate of 216 crore vaccine doses, according to the official.

Following the drop in the number of vaccines expected to be available, it was speculated that the two vaccine manufacturers would not have met their monthly production targets. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute, said his organization currently produces 90 million doses every month, with a 10% increase expected in August.

The Centre has now forecast availability of 50 crore doses of Covishield and 40 crore doses of Covaxin between August and December, according to a document filed in court. In addition, 30 crore Bio E vaccine doses, 10 crore Sputnik V vaccine doses, and 5 crore Zydus Cadila vaccine doses are expected to be available.