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Firefighters put out the flames, reported the rescue service in Pune, Maharashtra. So far, the circumstances of the fire and the extent of the damage it has caused are unclear.
“We have rescued three people, there are no victims,” said Prashant Rampise, the fire chief who led the operation.
According to the company, the fire is occurring only in the new building currently under construction to increase COVID-19 vaccine production and ensure that the company is better prepared for future pandemics.
It was reported that the fire did not damage the vaccine production lines and their warehouses, which have accumulated approximately $ 50 million. vaccine dose.
The Serum Institute was commissioned to produce 1 billion doses of AstraZeneca and COVID-19 Covishield, a vaccine developed by the University of Oxford.
Television reports showed a huge plume of gray smoke over the institute complex. The buildings are occupied by dozens of institute staff who did not remove their lab clothes.
“So far, the most important thing is that the fire did not claim lives or cause major injuries, although it did damage several floors,” said Adaras Poonawalla, CEO of the company.
In an interview with The Associated Press last month, Poonawalla said the company expects to increase annual production capacity to $ 1.5 billion by the end of 2021. doses of up to 2.5 billion. dose. The new body was to contribute to this goal.
Of the more than 12 billion. Of the coronavirus vaccine doses to be produced this year, rich countries have already bought about $ 9 billion. and most have options to buy even more. At that time, the vaccines produced by the Serum Institute will be primarily for developing countries. .
It looks like a huge fire at the Serum Institute of India, the maker of the Covishield vaccine. Hope everyone is safe.
pic.twitter.com/4h92dx9WTO– Anand Ranganathan (@ ARanganathan72) January 21, 2021
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