Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech issue joint statement, pledge smooth COVID-19 vaccine rollout
“Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech Jointly communicate their pledge towards a smooth rollout of Covid-19 vaccines to India and the world,” the statement read.
New Delhi: Calling truce after row over coronavirus vaccines, the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech on Tuesday issued a joint statement in which the companies pledged to work jointly on the vaccine rollout project.
“Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech Jointly communicate their pledge towards a smooth rollout of Covid-19 vaccines to India and the world,” the statement read.
The companies said that "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."
"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," the statement further stated.
“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,” the statement read.
On Sunday, both the companies were granted restricted emergency-use authorisation for sale of their Covid-19 vaccine in India by the Drugs Controller General of India.
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin was approved for emergency use by Drug Controller General of India on Sunday along with Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted approval on the basis of recommendations by a COVID-19 Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).