Serum Institute says COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed by Government

Guwahati: Serum Institute of India (SII), by far the largest vaccine manufacturer by volume across the world, on Monday, announced that the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine vials will be through a Government network.

Serum Institute of India (SII) on Monday said that the distribution of Covid-19 vaccine vials in India will be through a government network rather than private entities. The firm, known to be the largest vaccine manufacturer by volume across the world, said everyone will get the dose.

Notably, SII has been chosen by the Oxford and its partner AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine once it gets ready. The SII further stated that people shall not have to purchase the COVID-19 vaccine "directly" as the Government shall be distributing it.

This comes amid apprehensions in the minds of the people that they might have to choke out money from their own pockets to purchase doses of the vaccine, which is showing promising signs of being ready.

Meanwhile, the SII plans to start clinical trials in India for the vaccine for which it has partnered with AstraZeneca, and stated that it is hoping to start the Phase 3 clinical trials in August post regulatory approvals from the Government.

This comes after the Pune-based firm has already made an application seeking permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for conducting phase II/III human clinical trials in India. The firm plans to conduct the tests at the COVID-19 hit cities of Mumbai and Pune. The SII intends to administer doses of the experimental vaccine to 4,000 to 5,000 people in Pune and Mumbai.

It needs mention here that Oxford, one of the leading contenders in the global COVID-19 vaccine race, has made ambitious promises to deliver a big percentage of doses for India and other developing nations.

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