Pfizer Insists on Its High Effectiveness on Current SARS-Cov-2 Strain Found in India Now and Seeks Indemnity

Pfizer claim is that their vaccine is highly effective...learn more...

Monday, 31st May 2021

As Pfizer continues in its quest for an approval of its Covid-19 vaccine in India, it has told concerned authorities here that its shot has proved to be highly effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variant prevalent in India.

The US major has sought a fast track approval and stated that its jab is effective on people of Indian ethnicity or nationality and is also suitable for everyone aged 12 years or above. As per their claims, the vaccine can be stored for a month at a temperature of 2-8 degrees C.

Pfizer has asked for relaxation on a few points along with an indemnity. On that score, the company has had a number of interactions with authorities from the Indian government, one of which was held only last week. In the course of these talks, it shared the most recent data that suggests the “high effectiveness” of the Pfizer vaccine and the approvals they have received in several countries as well as by the World Health Organization.

Pfizer is ready to offer 5 crore doses to India between July and October this year.

Also Read : Covid-19 Latest Updates from May 19.

A source has quoted Pfizer of their interaction with the Indian government, “The current situation in India, and across the world, is not 'business as usual' and we must not respond to it with processes as usual too.”

As per other reports following the meetings between the government of India and Pfizer's Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, a joint agreement has been approached whereby they work together on three primary issues that will help speed up the approval for the company's COVID-19 vaccine in India.

These include- procurement through a central government pathway, indemnity and liability and the regulatory requirement for post-approval bridging studies.

Although India has already administered over 20 crore doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to its people since mid-January when the vaccination drive was launched, it still has miles to cover before it reaches its entire population.

The country is currently making use of two jabs that are self-produced to inoculate its populace- Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech. The Russian-made Sputnik V has also started making its appearance albeit at a smaller scale. All of these are approved only for those aged 18 years and above.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source:

NDTV