New Delhi: The Central government has told the apex court that a total of 1.22 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine are required to vaccinate 59 crore people in the age group of 18 to 45 years. In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the Centre said vaccination is the top priority of the government and all efforts are being made to achieve the target of 100 percent vaccination in the shortest time keeping in view the resources available.

The government told the court that it has also approved the emergency use of the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V on the basis of the third test conducted in India by Dr Reddy's laboratories in addition to Covishield and Covaxine. The Centre further said in the affidavit, "According to an estimate, the availability of locally manufactured Sputnik-V vaccine will start from July. It is expected that 8 million doses of the Russian vaccine will be available for 4 million people in July and 16 million doses for 8 million people in August.''

The Union Government further said that since mid-2020, Pfizer, Moderna has been in constant touch. The Supreme Court on April 22 looked into the epidemic situation due to a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases and said it was likely to come up with a "national plan" to deal with the distribution of essential services and supplies, including oxygen and medicines, to the Centre.

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