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New Delhi, Jan. 12 (PTI): Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla on Tuesday described the dispatch of Covishield vaccines for the January 16 national inoculation drive a "proud and historic" moment.
Early on Tuesday, the first consignment of the vaccines rolled out of the SII facility in Pune for transport to various locations in the country.
Speaking to the select media persons at the SII facility, Poonawalla said the real challenge lies in taking the vaccine to the "common man, to the vulnerable groups of people and to healthcare workers".
"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 stakeholders took great efforts while making this vaccine in less than a year," he said.
Poonawalla said the SII has offered the vaccine to the Government of India at a special price of INR 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 get the requisite permission, the vaccine will be made available in the private market at the cost INR 1,000.
Poonawalla further said the SII is not only providing the vaccine in India, "but it is also committed to provide it to other countries who are looking at India at this point".
Covishield is developed by Oxford University and British-Swedish company AstraZeneca and manufactured by the SII.
A 'puja' was performed before the three temperature controlled trucks rolled out of Serum Institute gates shortly before 5 am and moved towards the Pune airport, about 15 km away, from where the vaccines were flown across India.
New Delhi, Jan. 12 (PTI): Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla on Tuesday described the dispatch of Covishield vaccines for the January 16 national inoculation drive a "proud and historic" moment.
Early on Tuesday, the first consignment of the vaccines rolled out of the SII facility in Pune for transport to various locations in the country.
Speaking to the select media persons at the SII facility, Poonawalla said the real challenge lies in taking the vaccine to the "common man, to the vulnerable groups of people and to healthcare workers".
"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 stakeholders took great efforts while making this vaccine in less than a year," he said.
Poonawalla said the SII has offered the vaccine to the Government of India at a special price of INR 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 get the requisite permission, the vaccine will be made available in the private market at the cost INR 1,000.
Poonawalla further said the SII is not only providing the vaccine in India, "but it is also committed to provide it to other countries who are looking at India at this point".
Covishield is developed by Oxford University and British-Swedish company AstraZeneca and manufactured by the SII.
A 'puja' was performed before the three temperature controlled trucks rolled out of Serum Institute gates shortly before 5 am and moved towards the Pune airport, about 15 km away, from where the vaccines were flown across India.
Vaccine will take effect 14 days after second dose
There will be a gap of 28 days between two doses of Covid-19 vaccine and its effectiveness will begin 14 days after the second dose, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press briefing, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said vaccine effectiveness will be seen only after 14 days.
"So we urge people to keep following Covid appropriate behaviour," he said.
Bhushan said there will be a gap of 28 days between two doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
India will launch its Covid-19 vaccination drive from January 16 with priority to be given to nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers.
India had recently granted emergency use authorisation to two vaccines, Oxford's Covishield being manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. Both vaccines, the statement from the Health Ministry said, have established safety and immunogenicity.
Dr. V K Paul member, NITI Aayog member, said these two vaccines have been tested in thousands of people, they are the safest and there is no risk of any significance.
"We should have no doubt that the two vaccines approved are the safest of the vaccines. Both the vaccines have been tested on thousands of people and side-effects are negligible. There is no risk of any significance," he said.
Bhushan said that as said earlier, there will be a sequential rollout of Covid-19 vaccination.
"Healthcare workers (approximately one crore) will be on the top priority, followed by frontline workers (approximately 2 crore) and prioritized age groups (approximately 27 crore). The cost of healthcare workers and frontline workers will be borne by the central government," Bhushan said.