The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday announced its indicative vaccine distribution plan for the first two quarters for mid and lower-income group countries. India will receive the largest share, around 97 million doses of Covieshield under the program. 

Under the Covax facilities, the WHO planned to cover at least 3.3 percent of the total population of countries. Covishield, the Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccines, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, remained the most popular choice among the countries seeking Covid-19 vaccine through the UN facility. 

Pakistan will receive 17.16 million doses of Covishield vaccines; Bangladesh 12.92 million, Nepal 2.25 million, Sri Lanka 1.69 million. Afghanistan will get 3 million doses. Both Bhutan and Maldives will get 108000 doses of Covishied and 5,850 doses of Pfizer. 

“For AZ/SII (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) and AZ (AstraZeneca) indicative distribution, delivery is estimated to begin as of late February,” reads the statement released by the WHO. 

Around 35-40 percent of the distribution is likely in the first quarter while the remaining 60-65 will come in the second quarter.

Barring Bhutan and Afghanistan, all South Asian countries have already started their respective vaccination drives. Bhutan, though, has decided to vaccinate all its population simultaneously only after 14 March.

India has already donated substantial vaccine doses to all countries in the region, except Pakistan, as grant assistance.