A (H1N1) vaccine for States

In this photo taken Oct. 19, 2009, swine flu vaccines are seen at the Sanofi-Pasteur production plant manufacturing a vaccine for the H1N1 flu virus, in Val-de-Reuil, western Paris. The French Health Ministry says the country is selling its extra swine flu vaccines to other nations. The ministry says Qatar has bought 300,000 doses and Egypt is in the process of buying 2 million. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)

The Centre has started despatching the imported A (H1N1) influenza prevention vaccine to the States and paramilitary forces.

The largest chunk of 1,24,200 doses was sent to Karnataka followed by 80,400 doses to Andhra Pradesh from the Government Medical Store Depot (GMSD) at Mumbai on Monday and Tuesday, according to an official press release.

The Drugs Controller-General of India cleared the imported vaccines, manufactured by the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur last week. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will import 4 million doses of vaccine until the Indian drug companies start marketing their vaccines next month.

The Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force have also picked up their consignment of 2,400 and 1,600 doses respectively from GMSD in Delhi on Monday.

Tamil Nadu will receive 20,000 doses, Kerala (45,600), Goa (15,000), Puducherry (8,900), Lakshadweep (400), Madhya Pradesh (23,700), Gujarat (33,200), West Bengal (65,300), Bihar (27,000), Chhattisgarh (17,000), and Sikkim (3,100).