In an early hour of Tuesday morning, the first consignment of the vaccines rolled out of the Serum Institute of India (SII) facility in Pune for transport to various locations in the country. Speaking on the same CEO of SII Adar Poonawalla said the dispatch of Covishield vaccines for the January 16 national inoculation drive a ‘proud and historic’ moment.
The real challenge lies in taking the vaccine to the ‘common man, to the vulnerable groups of people and to healthcare workers’ cited Poonawalla.
‘Our trucks left the SII facility early morning and now the vaccine is being distributed in the entire country.
This is a proud and historic moment as scientists, experts and all other stake-holders took great efforts while making this vaccine in less than a year,’ continued Ponnawalla.
The CEO of SII also informed that he has offered the vaccine to the Government of India (GoI) at a special price of Rs 200.
‘This is one of the most affordable vaccines in the world and we are offering it to the GoI at a special price just to support the Prime Minister’s vision and to support the ‘aam aadami’ of our country,’ he added.
He also said that once the SII gets the requisite permission, the vaccine will be made available in the private market at the cost Rs 1,000.
