India’s key vaccine challenge is at home, not abroad

Significance

Its vaccine production capacity has increased in the intervening period to the extent that it now has a surplus of doses, even allowing for supplies abroad. A key reason why so many doses are unused is that the domestic roll-out is stagnating.

Impacts

• India’s COVID-19 vaccine portfolio will diversify markedly.
• Russian vaccines made in India will mainly be exported, due to low domestic demand.
• Delhi may begin rolling out coronavirus booster vaccines for high-priority groups early next year.