Serum Institute of India (SII) Executive Director Adar Poonawalla said on Saturday that the COVID-19
The vaccination campaign may start in January 2021, as his company hoped to obtain the emergency use authorization by the end of this month. India today reported.
Poonawalla said he hoped everyone in India would be vaccinated by October 2021, after which normal life before Covid could resume again. He spoke at The Economic Times Global Business Summit.
“By the end of the month, we could get an emergency license, but the actual license for wider use could come at a later date. But we are confident that if the regulators give the go-ahead, India’s vaccination campaign can begin. in January 2021 “. ” he said.
Poonawalla added that once 20 percent of the Indian population received the coronavirus vaccine, there would be a resurgence of confidence and feelings. “By September-October next year, hopefully there will be enough vaccinations for everyone and normal life can return,” he said.
Meanwhile, Niti Aayog member VK Paul said that the emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 The vaccine would be administered by the country’s drug regulator after analyzing all aspects of safety and efficacy.
Addressing the 93rd annual convention of the FICCI industry body, he said that the management of the immunization program and the electoral process in the country gives the government confidence that even the vaccine initiative could also be successfully delivered to target groups. .
Today we have three requests for emergency use authorization on sound principles. We have Pfizer, we have Bharat Biotech and we have Serum and they have not only met the deadline, they have passed the deadline, Paul said.
Calling the current period a turning point, he said that decisions regarding the vaccine would be released in a matter of days. “Importantly, these decisions will be based on science, evidence and rules. Our regulator will make the right decision. Safety, immunogenicity and efficacy will drive the decision,” Paul said.
He further said: “We have absolutely no pressure on the regulator to make the decision one way or another; I can say this with authority. We have isolated that system. We respect their decision-making process.”
Paul said making the right decision was important to the nation. “There is a reputation to maintain. Our vaccines go to half the world. If we commit today, we will be hurting ourselves,” he noted.
He also said that DCGI was in contact with the UK regulator. “We are trying to work together regardless of a particular vaccine that is common to both nations,” Paul said.
When starting the vaccine delivery process, he added that the process should be regulated so that those most in need receive the dose first. Paul said conventional cold chains have been created to store the vaccine, as has the capacity of the syringes and needles.
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