The Serum Institute of India has said that there is no ban in Covid-19 vaccine exports, clearing all the confusions.
“I would like to clarify two matters; as there is confusion in the public domain, exports of vaccines are permitted to all countries and a joint public statement clearing up any recent miscommunication with regards to Bharat Biotech will be made,” Adar Poonawalla, CEO and Owner of the Serum Institute tweeted.
Later after his tweet, the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech Jointly communicate their pledge towards a smooth roll out of COVID-19 vaccines to India and the world.
Adar Poonawala and Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman of Bharat Biotech, 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,” they said in a joint statement.
“Now that two COVID-19 vaccines have been issued EUA (emergency use authorization) 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 rollout of vaccines. Each of our Companies continue their COVID-19 vaccines development activities as planned.
“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,” they said.
Earlier on Monday, the government confirmed that there is no uncertainty over the vaccine amid concern over whether Bangladesh will get Oxford’s Covid-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India in time.
The comment came following Poonawalla’s interview with Reuters on Sunday when he said after the shot was approved for emergency use in India that exports might be possible only after supplying the Indian government with an initial 100 million doses.
“There is nothing to be worried about since the commitment has been made at the highest level,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had said.
“We’ll get the vaccine on time since we have an agreement with the Serum,” health minister Zahid Maleque had also said, brushing aside any speculation.
The Oxford/AstraZeneca is the only vaccine developer so far to have a deal with the global COVAX facility, which most low and middle income countries will rely on for much of their vaccine supply.
In June, Oxford/AstraZeneca committed to produce 1 billion doses for low and middle income countries, via a partnership with the Serum Institute of India.
Read More: Anti-venom serum scarcity at UHCs causing deaths
They have promised to sell the vaccine for no profit – between $2 and $3 per dose - for the duration of the pandemic.
The major supply for Bangladesh, which is around 7 crore, will come through COVAX via GAVI. Apart from that, Beximco also signed a deal with Serum with the help of the Bangladesh government for 3 crore additional doses.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also said that the vaccines produced in India will be shared with humanity.
And he also assured our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that vaccines produced in India will be shared with the Bangladesh government.
Beximco Pharmaceuticals, the local distributor of Serum Institute, also assured that Bangladesh will get the agreed amount of vaccine doses on time as per agreement.
Earlier, on December 17 at the summit meeting, the Indian prime minister reiterated the highest priority India attaches to Bangladesh under his ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.
Modi had assured his counterpart Sheikh Hasina that vaccines would be made available to Bangladesh as and when produced in India. Both leaders also noted the ongoing bilateral collaboration between the private sectors in this area.
