Priyanka Chopra calls for more vaccines for India as US prepares to begin exports

Actor urges country to share AstraZeneca jab as it has ordered 550,000,000 more than needed

Priyanka Chopra Jonas has sought help from the US to make up for the shortage of Covid-19 vaccines in India as the nation fights a shocking second wave of infections.

The 38-year-old actor urged the US to share AstraZeneca jabs as it has ordered 550,000,000 more than needed.

She wrote on Twitter: “My heart breaks. India is suffering from Covid-19 and the US has ordered 550,000,000 more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46. Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines with India?”

On Sunday a White House spokeswoman said the US will immediately provide raw materials for antibodies, medical equipment and protective gear to help India respond to the surge in infections.

“United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval.

“US has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and PPE that will immediately be made available for India. US is also pursuing options to provide oxygen generation & related supplies on an urgent basis.” an official statement issued by Mr Sullivan read.

“The US Development Finance Corporation is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling BioE to ramp up to produce at least 1 billion doses of covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2022.

“Additionally, the United States is deploying an expert team of public health advisors from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and USAID to work in close collaboration with the US Embassy, India’s health ministries, and India’s Epidemic Intelligence Service staff.”

Meanwhile, Chopra Jonas has been using all her social media platforms to amplify information about hospital beds availability, oxygen tanks refilling, and other Covid-related requirements.