Covid-19 : Serum Institute of India to delay vaccine shipments to Morocco

The Serum Institute of India (SII) has informed several of its international partners, including Morocco, that additional supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 will be delayed due to growing demand in India. 

According to Reuters, the decision comes as the institute tries to increase its capacities, explained a source familiar with the matter.

The news comes as India, the world's largest vaccine maker, comes under national criticism for donating or selling more doses than those destined for the country. 

Reuters recalls that India, which has reported the highest number of infections after the United States and Brazil, is currently experiencing a second wave, with around 11.6 million Covid-19 infections in total.

The latest delays, first reported by The Times of India, came days after the United Kingdom said it had to slow the rollout of its Covid-19 vaccine next month because SII was likely to deliver additional doses later than expected.

SII supplied half of the 10 million doses recently ordered by the UK. Brazil has already received 4 million doses from SII, Saudi Arabia 3 million and Morocco 7 million. The three countries had ordered 20 million doses each.

The Reuters source said, however, that SII is working to increase its monthly production to 100 million doses by April / May from 60 million to 70 million currently, which could improve supplies.