The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said the government launched an inquiry into a report claiming that fake versions of Covishield, India's primary anti-COVID-19 vaccine, had been seized. "It has been claimed that duplicate versions of Covishield vaccine were sold in India. The Indian government is investigating this claim, and will take action if it finds any substance to the allegations," Mandaviya said in Rajkot.

The report about counterfeit vaccines allegedly being seized quoted WHO Mandaviya, who was recently elevated as health minister, also said that three more vaccines for adults would be available in India soon. "Currently, 3vaccines are available in India like Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik. In the coming days, 3 more vaccines are expected to arrive, including one from Zydus Cadila. The other two will be from Genova and Biological Evans, he said.

On the Union government's plan to tackle a possible third wave of the pandemic, he said it has already earmarked Rs 23,000 crore for the purpose. "We have planned to keep a buffer stock of medicines worth Rs 1 crore in each district along with one cryogenic tank for the supply of medical oxygen. We have also planned to deploy one ambulance at a block level. Hospitals have been instructed to reserve beds for COVID-19 patients and have separate beds for infected children," he said.

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