Vaccine War Simmers Down; Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech Jointly Pledge Smooth Covid Vaccine Roll-Out

On Sunday, both the companies Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India (SII) were granted restricted emergency-use authorisation for sale of their Covid-19 vaccine in India by DCGI.

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla and Bharat Biotech managing director Dr Krishna Ella on Tuesday issued a joint statement saying it was their combined intent to develop, manufacture and supply the COVID-19 vaccines for India and globally. Both the companies that have been granted approval for restricted use of Covid-19 vaccine, assured a smooth rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in the country.

They said, the more important task in front of them is saving the lives and livelihoods of populations in India and the world.

"Vaccines are a global public health good and they have the power to save lives and accelerate the return to economic normalcy at the earliest. Now that two Covid-19 vaccines have been issued EUA (emergency-use authorisation) in India, the focus is on manufacturing, supply and distribution, such that populations that need it the most receive high quality, safe and efficacious vaccines.

Both our companies are fully engaged in this activity and consider it our duty to the nation and the world at large to ensure a smooth roll-out of vaccines. Each of our companies continue their Covid-19 vaccines development activities as planned,” read the joint statement.

"We are fully aware of the importance of vaccines for people and countries alike, we hereby communicate our joint pledge to provide global access for our Covid-19 vaccines," the statement added.

On Sunday, both the companies Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India (SII) were granted restricted emergency-use authorisation for sale of their Covid-19 vaccine in India by the Drugs Controller General of India.