India's biggest syringe manufacturer is ramping up production to churn out a billion units, anticipating a surge in demand as the global race to find a coronavirus vaccine heats up.

Hindustan Syringes — one of the world's largest makers of the item — said it is increasing its output of auto-disable devices (which prevent re-use) from 700 million a year to one billion by 2021 to meet the expected demand.

“Even if 60 per cent of the world's population is immunised, it would mean four to five billion syringes would be required,” Hindustan Syringes Managing Director Rajiv Nath told AFP at their factory in northern Haryana state.

Much of the world's demand for syringes is expected to be met by factories in China and India.