Mexico and Argentina have a deal with AstraZeneca to produce its vaccine for distribution in Latin America

In Latin America, after Brazil which has received 2 million doses of Serum Institute of India and AstraZeneca produced Covishield vaccine, Mexico and Argentina too have decided to import vaccines from India.

“We are also getting AstraZeneca vaccines, apart from the agreement we have with them—these vaccines are being made here in Mexico—we will bring AstraZeneca from India,” Mexican President Manuel Lopez Obrador said in a video broadcast on social media.

Mexico and Argentina have a deal with AstraZeneca to produce its vaccine for distribution in Latin America, with financial support from the foundation of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.

Mexico is trying to secure as much vaccine supply as possible amid delivery delays and a surge in cases. On Friday, Mexico's death toll from COVID-19 was 156,579.

Earlier, on January 22, Brazil received two million doses of coronavirus vaccines manufactured by the SII, the UK’s AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the vaccines, saying “Namaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccine exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad.”

In response, Prime Minister Modi tweeted: “The honour is ours, President Jair M. Bolsonaro to be a trusted partner of Brazil in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic together. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation on healthcare.”

Bolsonaro referred to the Covid-19 vaccine from India as ‘sanjeevni booti’ from Ramayana.

The Indian ambassador to Brazil said, “Today is a historic day in India-Brazil relations. Brazil is the first country to get such a consignment. PM Modi said we'll make vaccines available to all countries and we'll continue to work towards that and I wish you good luck in your efforts.”

Two flights, each carrying 2 million doses of Covishield vaccine, departed from the Mumbai airport for Brazil and Morocco in the early hours on January 22.

India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers, and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring coronavirus vaccines.

During a weekly media briefing MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “India will continue to supply Covid-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. It will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements, while supplying abroad.”