Covovax, Novavax's Indian version, will be tested on 1,400 volunteers across 20 cities by Serum Institute, which has already begun production of the Covid vaccine.
SII's problems have become a key illustration of how the effort to inoculate developing world has failed, & a cautionary tale for becoming over-reliant on one manufacturer.
Modi government has so far stood firm on not offering indemnity to Covid vaccine makers. But vaccine shortage could force it reconsider as it negotiates with foreign companies.
The SII has already told the government that it will be able to manufacture and supply 10 crore Covishield doses in June and is also manufacturing the Novavax vaccine.
In early May, SII had informed the Central govt that production of Covishield would be ramped up to 6.5 crore in June, 7 crore in July and 10 crore each in August and September.
SII has a tie-up with US' Novavax to manufacture and supply Covovax vaccine in India and in low- and middle-income countries as part of the COVAX vaccine alliance countries.
If extremely heavy rainfall can cause such damage without a rare event like a cloudburst, it should leave the system working toward India’s disaster preparedness thinking.
One such website has drawn particular scrutiny for spreading fake stories that have upset not only the Indian but also foreign defence firms by falsely attributing misinformation.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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