India readies for 600 million COVID vaccine jabs, to use standard cold storage

India will deploy its vast election machinery to deliver 600 million doses of COVID -19 vaccines to the most vulnerable people in the next six to eight months through conventional cold chain systems,the expert leading the initiative said on friday. The government has lined up cold storage facilities with temperatures between 2 to 8 degree Celsius said V L Paul ,who heads the group of experts on vaccine administration for COVID- 19 that advises Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Serum Institute of India,the world’s largest vaccine maker,is already mass producing and stockpiling AstraZenrca’s Covishield shot, while Indian biotech players Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila are developing their own vaccine candidates.