Committed to working with the India to make vaccine available: Pfizer

Pfizer, the global pharma company that has got approval for the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, said on Thursday (December 3) that it remains committed to working with the Indian government to explore opportunities in making the shot available in the country.

“Right now we are in discussions with many governments around the world and remain committed to engaging with the government of India and explore opportunities to make this vaccine available for use in the country,” Pfizer said in a statement. It said that it is committed to ensuring everyone has access to the vaccine, and is working closely with governments.

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“During this pandemic phase, Pfizer will supply this vaccine only through government contracts based on agreements with respective government authorities and following regulatory authorisation or approval,” the statement said.

UK became the first country, on December 2, to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted a temporary authorisation for its emergency use.

Also read: No plan to vaccinate the entire population against COVID, says Centre

“As we anticipate further authorizations and approvals, we are focused on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said.

The challenge is in distribution of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as it needs to be stored in temperatures of minus 70 degrees celsius.

Several other vaccine candidates are in the race to be completed and approved in India. The Serum Institute of India is conducting trials of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine candidate; Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) vaccine candidate Covaxine is also undergoing trials; Dr Reddy’s Laboratories’ clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V are also, while Indian pharma major Zydus Cadila’s also has a vaccine canditate.