The Serum Institute of India (SII) has said it will be able to manufacture and supply 90 to 100 million doses of Covishield in June, reports said. SII has informed the Indian government that it has ramped up its production capacity and will be able to supply 90 to 100 million doses of Covishield in June as compared to 65 million in May.

Several states, including Punjab, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Karnataka, among others, have invited global tenders for Covid-19 vaccines as shortage of jabs forced states to suspend vaccination centres.

SII on Sunday informed the government that its production capacity will be increased to 65 million in June, 70 million in July and 100 million in August.

India's health ministry on Sunday said that so far 212 million doses have been administered across the country.

Since May 1, 18.3 million people in the age group 18-44 have been vaccinated.

India is currently using Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute of India manufactured Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca), while Russia's Sputnik V is the third vaccine that has recived approval for use in the country. (SAM)