PUNE: Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla on Tuesday he described the shipment of Covishield vaccines for the January 16 national inoculation drive as a “proud and historic” moment.
Early Tuesday morning, the first shipment of vaccines left the SII facilities in Pune for transport to various parts of the country.
Speaking to select media at the SII facility, Poonawalla said the real challenge lies in bringing the vaccine to “the common man, vulnerable groups of people and healthcare workers.”
“Our trucks left the SII facility early in the morning and now the vaccine is being distributed across the country. This is a proud and historic moment as scientists, experts and all other stakeholders went to great lengths to make this vaccine in less than a year, “he said.
Poonawalla said that IBS has offered the vaccine to the Government of India (GoI) at a special price of Rs 200.
“This is one of the most affordable vaccines in the world and we offer it to the Government of India at a special price just to support the vision of the Prime Minister and to support the ‘aam aadami’ of our country,” he added.
He also said that once the IBS gets the required permission, the vaccine will be available on the private market at a cost of Rs 1,000.
Poonawalla further said that IBS is not only providing the vaccine in India, “they have also committed to providing it to other countries that are looking to India right now.”
Covishield is developed by Oxford University and Swedish-British company AstraZeneca and manufactured by the SII.
A ‘puja’ was held before the three temperature-controlled trucks left the Serum Institute gates shortly before 5 a.m. and headed for the Pune airport, some 15 km away, from where the vaccines were shipped by all of India.
On Video: Covid-19: Covishield Shipment for Vaccine Campaign at Historic Moment, Says Adar Poonawalla
.
