Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has recentlygiven a statement clearing that the vaccine producer has not ever exportedthe anti-viral drug at the cost of the people of India. He said that SII would do anything to support India's vaccination drive.
He further added that India’s population is humongous and the entire vaccination drive cannot be concluded in mere two or three months due to certain factors and challenges involved.
"It would take 2-3 years for the entire world population to get vaccinated," he reiterated.
“It is important to stay united in this fight against the pandemic,” read Poonawalla’s statement. India is now receiving support fromthose nations, where India exported vaccines, medicine, Adar added.
Apart from this, Adar Poonawalla has explained thecircumstances revolving around the consignment delivered to foreign nations andthe commitments made by the government during the first wave of pandemic thatstruck the world in 2020.
Poonawalla on the vaccine shortage said when thevaccines were introduced in the market, we had an abundant stock in India asthe Covid cases then were significantly low, which boosted the vaccinationdrive.
He further added that at times other nations were in an ‘acutecrisis’ and were in desperate need of help. Therefore the government decided toextend help in whatever way possible.
Poonawalla further pointed out that Covid-19 will "notbe limited by geographical or political boundaries.”
“We will not be safe till everyone has been able todefeat the virus on a global scale,” he added.
It may be noted here that SII CEO was given Y security inApril after he was being threatened to deliver the consignment promptly amidthe second wave of Covid-19. Howeverafter few days, he had left for the UK from where he is expected to returnwithin the next few weeks.
The statement by SII Chief Adar Poonawalla came at a timewhen the government and the vaccine-producer is facing flak of criticism overthe vaccine shortage due to which many states have halted the drive for alleligible age groups.
As of now, SII has delivered more than 200mn doses, eventhough it received EUA two months after the US pharma companies.
"If we look at total doses produced and delivered,we rank amongst the top three in the world. We continue to scale upmanufacturing and prioritize India. We also hope to start delivering to COVAXand other countries by end of this year," he added.