The Serum Institute of India (SII), India’s local manufacturer of the AstraZeneca/Oxford coronavirus vaccine, announced on Sunday that it would like to focus its efforts on providing vaccines to the Indian population over the next two months before expanding the vaccine distribution to other interested countries.
During an interview, SII Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla explained that after receiving emergency use authorization by the Indian government, his company would supply 100 million doses of its vaccine to the citizens of India. Only after this objective is met would exports be considered.
Poonawalla went on to explain that the Indian government seeks to ensure that “the most vulnerable people of the country get it first”. He then signaled his support for this decision.
While the Serum Institute of India is still waiting to strike a supply deal with the Indian government, one such deal is expected to be reached within the coming days.
In addition to the SII vaccine, the Indian government has also confirmed the emergency use authorization for vaccines coming from local firm Bharat Biotech as well as the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca in partnership with Oxford University.
