Narendra Modi Pune Visit HIGHLIGHTS: After PM's Visit, SII CEO Says In Process Of Getting Emergency License For Vaccine

PM Modi visited Zydus Cadila plant at Ahmedabad and reviewed the status of the vaccine. No, PM has reached the Bharat Biotech facility to take stock of the development of 'Covaxin'. Next, PM will fly to Pune where he will review the status of the vaccine, including its launch, production, and distribution mechanisms. Know the latest updates of PM Modi's visit to the vaccine centres.

Background

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit three cities on Saturday to review the status of the COVID-19 vaccine. He will visit Bharat Biotech’s facilities in Hyderabad, Zydus Cadila in Ahmedabad, and Serum Institute of India in Pune. While Bharat Biotech is developing  'Covaxin', Zydus Cadila's ZyCoV-D is under development, and Serum Institute of India has partnered with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and the Oxford University for manufacturing of the latter's COVID-19 vaccine.

PM Modi is expected to arrive at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport around 9 am. From there, he will head towards Changodar in a helicopter. Zydus Cadila’s Vaccine Technology Centre is located at Changodar Park where the pharma company is developing its Covid-19 vaccine candidate ZyCoV-D.

From Ahmedabad,  PM Modi will travel to Hyderabad to visit Bharat Biotech’s facility where the indigenous vaccine Covaxin is being developed.

From there, Modi is expected to fly to Pune where he will review the status of the vaccine, including its launch, production, and distribution mechanisms. “We have received confirmation about PM Modi’s visit to the Serum Institute of India on Saturday, but his minute-to-minute program is yet to be received,” Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao told PTI.

The tentative schedule of the Prime Minister’s visit is as follows:

Zydus Cadila facility: 9:30 am

Bharat Biotech: 1:30 pm

Serum Institute: 4:30 pm

Zydus Cadila facility in Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Modi will be visiting the facilities of Zydus Cadila in Ahmedabad where ZyCoV-D is being developed. The prime minister will reach the plant, located in the Changodar industrial area, over 20 km from Ahmedabad, around 9.30 am, an official said.

Bharat Biotech facilities in Hyderabad: In Hyderabad, the Prime Minister will go around the facilities in Bharat Biotech to understand the vaccine development process and the preparations to manufacture the doses in large numbers once the vaccine gets approval from the authorities concerned. After landing at Hakimpet Air Force station, Modi will reach Bharat Biotech's facility at Genome Valley at 1.30 pm.

Serum Institute In Pune: PM will be visiting the Serum Institute of India facilities in Pune where the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is being manufactured. SII has partnered with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University for Covid-19 vaccine named ‘Covishield’ for Indian markets.

21:10 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

Thank you @narendramodi for visiting @SerumInstIndia. We share your vision and continue to work towards ensuring a safe and secure India. https://t.co/FKykmenSd1

— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) November 28, 2020

20:18 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

Prime Minister stressed that India considers vaccines as not only vital to good health but also as a global good, and it is India’s duty to assist other countries, including the nations in our neighbourhood, in the collective fight against the virus: PMO https://t.co/YVR1Moy3iJ

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2020

20:17 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

PM Narendra Modi today undertook a three city tour to conduct an extensive review of the vaccine development and manufacturing process. He visited the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and Serum Institute of India in Pune: Prime Minister's Office

19:31 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

Vaccine will be distributed initially in India, then we will look at the COVAX countries which are mainly in Africa. The UK & European markets are being taken care of by AstraZeneca & Oxford. Our priority is India & COVAX countries: Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India pic.twitter.com/yE9IAG3TyP

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2020

19:30 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

We have built the largest pandemic level facility in Pune & our new campus in Mandri. That was also showcased to the PM with a tour around the facility & a lot of detailed discussions: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla

19:30 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

As of now, we don't have anything in writing with the govt of India on how many doses they will purchase but the indication is that it would be 300-400 million doses by July, 2021: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla

19:30 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

PM is extremely knowledgeable now on vaccines & vaccine production. We were amazed at what he already knew. There was very little to explain to him, except for going into detail on different variable vaccines & the challenges that they may face ahead: Serum Institute of India CEO

19:19 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

We are in the process of applying for emergency use authorization of Covishield in the next two weeks: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/v1FYDwgGkE

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2020

19:18 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

We have built the largest pandemic level facility in Pune & our new campus in Mandri. That was also showcased to the PM with a tour around the facility & a lot of detailed discussions: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla

19:03 PM (IST)  •  28 Nov 2020

"PM @narendramodi Ji's visit to personally review the vaccine development & manufacturing process is a very reassuring step for the citizens," tweeted BJP National Secretary Y Satya Kumar.