As soon as Pfizer indicated vaccine availability, the Centre and the company started working together for the earliest possible import of the vaccine, NITI Aayog member V K Paul said on Thursday.

Paul, who heads India’s Covid-19 task force and is the Chair of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19, said the Centre has engaged continuously with all the major international vaccine manufacturers right from mid-2020. “Multiple rounds of discussions have happened with Pfizer, J&J and Moderna. The government offered all assistance to have them supply and/or manufacture their vaccines in India.” But, Paul said their vaccines aren’t available in free supply. Pfizer, which is ready to offer 5 crore doses to India between July and October, has sought certain relaxations, including indemnification.