Serum Institute of India Seeks Indemnity for Covishield Vaccine

Strategic Insights -

The Serum Institute of India (SII), the maker of Covishield, has joined the ranks of foreign vaccine companies like Pfizer and Moderna in seeking indemnity for vaccine failures or side effects. This follows the government's hint at granting indemnity to Pfizer and Moderna, a condition put forth by these companies for supplying their vaccines to India. SII, which has initiated advanced trials on three new anti-Coronavirus vaccines, has also sought approval for the manufacture of the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V and has applied to the DCGI for permission to manufacture Sputnik-V at its licensed facility in Pune.

Key Takeaways:

  • Serum Institute of India (SII) has sought indemnity from liability for vaccine makers, whether Indian or foreign, after Pfizer and Moderna have sought protection from litigation.
  • SII has applied to the DCGI for permission to manufacture the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V for examination, test, and analysis at its licensed facility in Pune.
  • The government has hinted at granting indemnity to Pfizer and Moderna, saying that other countries have granted this concession and "there is no problem" in granting indemnity or legal protection from any claims linked to the use of a company's Corona vaccine.
  • Countries like the US have reportedly granted indemnity from liability to Pfizer and Moderna for the possibility of something going wrong with their vaccines.
  • SII, which has initiated advanced trials on three new anti-Coronavirus vaccines, has also sought approval from the DCGI for the manufacture of the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V.
  • SII has collaborated with Novovax, Codagenix, and SpyBiotech for developing Covovax, a single-dose nasal vaccine, and SpyBiotech, a novel virus-like particle vaccine.

Statistics:

  • Serum Institute of India (SII) has applied to the DCGI for permission to manufacture Sputnik-V at its licensed facility in Pune.
  • Pfizer and Moderna have sought protection from litigation and have requested indemnity to all nations including the country of origin.
  • Countries like the US have reportedly granted indemnity from liability to Pfizer and Moderna for the possibility of something going wrong with their vaccines.

Sources:

  • "India News: Serum Institute of India seeks indemnity for vaccine". Business Standard.
  • "Serum Institute, govt in talks for Covid-19 shots from Pfizer, Moderna". Hindustan Times.
  • "Serum Institute of India seeks DCGI nod for Sputnik V vaccine manufacturing". Economic Times.