Press Release

Gifting of Indian manufactured vaccines to Mauritius under

Mission ‘Vaccine Maitri’

January 21, 2021

As a reflection of the special and strong relationship between India and Mauritius, the Government of India has decided to gift 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccines, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, to the friendly people and the Government of Mauritius as part of its Mission ‘Vaccine Maitri’.

The decision to gift Covishield vaccines to Mauritius, even as India is rolling out a massive vaccination campaign for its own population, stands testimony to the importance India attaches to its relationship with Mauritius, which is an important neighbour and a maritime partner in the region.

The consignment of 100,000 doses in 10,000 vials will be reaching Mauritius on 22 January 2021 in the evening. The Covishield vaccines will assist Mauritius in its efforts to vaccinate the frontliners, including health workers, and contribute towards an early revival of crucial sectors of the Mauritian economy.

It may be recalled that India had earlier supplied 13 tonnes of essential lifesaving medicines to Mauritius in April 2020, including a consignment containing half a million tablets of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for treating Covid-19. Mauritius was one of the first countries to receive supplies of this medicine after a special exemption was granted for the export of HCQ tablets by the Government of India. Further, India also despatched a second consignment of essential medicines and 10 tonnes of Ayurvedic medicines, as well as a 14-member Indian Rapid Response Medical Assistance Team to Mauritius in May 2020 as part of its Misson ‘SAGAR’.

India will continue to extend all possible assistance to Mauritius and the world community in the fight against the Covid pandemic.

India’s humanitarian initiative of vaccine supply is guided by the principle of “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” which means “the world is one family”, and the special priority that India accords to its close partners in the neighbourhood under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. It is based on India’s foundational ethos of lending a helping hand to all of humanity in collectively countering global challenges.