Coronavirus: India vaccine giant eyes licence within weeks for Covishield, despite efficacy questions

The Serum Institute of India is already producing 50-60 million doses of AstraZeneca and Oxford University’s Covishield vaccine per month

PM Narendra Modi’s government wants 300-400 million doses by July next year as the country battles a new surge in the coronavirus pandemic

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A health worker injects a volunteer with the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University in this undated handout picture. Photo: DPA

Published: 9:38am, 29 Nov 2020Updated: 10:05pm, 29 Nov 2020

The world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume is set to apply for an emergency licence for a coronavirus vaccine within two weeks, after saying that confusion over the efficacy would not delay its distribution.

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawala also confirmed on Saturday that the Pune-based giant would be able to produce at least 100 million doses a month from early 2021 of Covishield, which was developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

Poonawalla spoke after a visit to the plant by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government wants 300-400 million doses by July next year as the country battles a new surge in the pandemic.

India, the second worst hit country after the United States, is expected to pass 10 million cases in early December.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Serum Institute of India to review progress on the development of a Covid-19 vaccine on Saturday. Photo: EPA

AstraZeneca has said further research was needed on the vaccine after scientists raised confusion about Covishield’s efficacy.

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