Updated: September 27, 2020 6:11:00 pm
Health workers wearing protective suits during the collection of swabs for the COVID-19 test inside a movie theater in Kolkata.
One day after questioning the government about his Covid-19 vaccine production and distribution plans in the country, Serum Institute of India Executive Director Adar Poonawalla said Sunday that it was clear that “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Indian arrangements will address all the needs of the Indian people.”
Poonawalla also praised Prime Minister Modi’s vision of providing vaccines to the global community at the United Nations General Assembly.
“We share and applaud your vision @narendramodi ji, on providing vaccines to the global community. It is a proud moment for India, thank you for your leadership and support. It is clear that all his arrangements for India will address all the needs of the Indian people, ”Poonawalla tweeted.
We share and applaud your vision @Narendra Modi hee, about supplying vaccines to the world community. It is a proud moment for India, thank you for your leadership and support. It is clear that all your arrangements for India will take care of all the needs of the Indian people. https://t.co/b57TH8fDSB
– Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) September 27, 2020
In his speech to the 75th session of the UN General Assembly On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi said that India, being the world’s largest vaccine-producing country, would help all of humanity in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, winning praise from the head of the World Health Organization ( WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“As the largest vaccine producing country in the world, I want to give one more assurance to the global community today. India’s vaccine production and distribution capacity will be used to help all of humanity fight this crisis. Even during these very difficult times of the terrible pandemic, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has shipped essential medicines to more than 150 countries, “said Prime Minister Modi.
Modi further assured that India would also help all countries to improve their cold chain and storage capacities for the delivery of vaccines.
Thank you for your commitment to solidarity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Only together, by mobilizing our forces and resources together for the common good, can we end the Covid-19 pandemic, ”WHO Director-General Ghebreyesus said in a tweet.
Thank you for your commitment to solidarity, 🇮🇳 Prime Minister @Narendra Modi. Only together, mobilizing our forces and resources together for the common good, can we end the # COVID-19 pandemic. #UNGA @PMOIndia @CDMissionIndia @IndiaUNNewYorkhttps://t.co/UgHjNgmKlM
– Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) September 26, 2020
Interestingly, prior to PM Modi’s guarantee on the Covid-19 vaccine in his UNGA speech, Poonawalla had asked whether the government had Rs 80 billion available over the next year to purchase and distribute the injections.
“Quick question; Will the government of India have Rs 80 billion available next year? Because that’s what @MoHFW_INDIA needs to buy and distribute the vaccine to everyone in India,” he tweeted.
“I ask this question because we need to plan and guide vaccine manufacturers both in India and abroad to meet the needs of our country in terms of procurement and distribution,” he added.
The Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, is licensed to produce and commercialize two of the main candidate vaccines, one developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, and the other by the American company Novavax.
The University of Oxford vaccine, called Covishield in India, is currently in phase II and III trials in the country. Previously, the institute had announced that it would make the $ 3 Oxford vaccine available to low- and middle-income countries, including India.
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