A man reacts as a health worker in protective suit takes his nasal swab sample to test for COVID-19 in New Delhi, India, Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo: AP)

NEW DELHI, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Head of India's National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) V K Paul said Thursday the federal government was working together with U.S. multinational pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer for the earliest possible import of vaccines.

"As soon as Pfizer indicated vaccine availability, the central (federal) government and the company are working together for the earliest possible import of the vaccine," Paul said.

The Indian government's top policy think tank, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog (commission) on Wednesday released a statement on "myths and facts on India's vaccination progress" in a bid to clarify the government efforts.

"The central government has remained engaged continuously with all the major international vaccine manufacturers right from mid-2020. Multiple rounds of discussions have happened with Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna." the statement said.

India is currently administrating two made-in India vaccines to its people -- Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech.

Indian states have been reporting the shortage of vaccines and the drive is not going at the desired pace.