Bill Gates says India key in manufacturing coronavirus vaccine, requests cooperation

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Tuesday acknowledged the key role India is likely to play in manufacturing of the coronavirus vaccine and requested for its cooperation going forward. "India is a leading vaccine producer; we need cooperation from India on manufacturing COVID-19 vaccine," Bill Gates said, in an interview. 

"All of us want to get a vaccine out in India as fast as we can, once we know that it's very effective and very safe," Gates added.

The former Microsoft boss is hopeful that covid vaccine will be rolled out from India next year.  

"It's very likely that roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine will take place in fairly big volume (in India) sometime next year. I'm quite optimistic that by first quarter of next year, several of COVID-19 vaccines will have final stage," said Gates. 

"India's willingness to play a big role in the manufacturing and to allow some of those vaccines to go to other developing countries will be an absolutely critical part of that," said Gates. 

Meanwhile, India’s continues to battle against the pandemic, with an improved recovery rate of 78.28 per cent as a total of 38,59,399 people have recuperated, exceeding the active cases of coronavirus by 28,69,338 as on date, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday. 

There are 9,90,061 active cases of COVID-19 in the country which comprise 20.08 per cent of the total caseload, according to the Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday morning. Close to half (48.8 per cent) of the active cases are concentrated in three states -- Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Kerala and Telangana contribute close to a quarter (24.4 per cent) of the active cases, the ministry said. 

"Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu contribute 60.35 per cent of the total active cases and are also reporting close to 60 per cent (59.42 pc) of the total recovered cases," it highlighted.