Pfizer's Covid vaccine in final stages of getting approval in India: CEO Albert Bourla

Pfizer is now in the final stages of getting emergency use approval for its Covid-19 vaccine in India, said the company's Chairman and CEO, Albert Bourla. Bourla was quoted as saying on Tuesday, "I hope very soon we will finalize an agreement with the [Indian] government."

The vaccine was developed by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in collaboration with German biotechnology company BioNTech. Authorised by the US FDA for emergency use in individuals 12 years of age or older, the vaccine reported an efficacy rate of 95 per cent in a Phase 3 study.

Doses of the vaccine can be stored at 2-8 degrees for a whole month.

NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul told CNBC-TV18 on Monday that the central government is in talks with Pfizer and other vaccine makers. The vaccines will be imported in accordance with local laws, Dr Paul, who is also the chairman of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC), was quoted as saying.

Addressing a press conference earlier this month, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India is engaged with US-based companies to procure Covid vaccines.

Pfizer has reportedly claimed that it can offer five crore doses of its Covid-19 vaccine to India between July and October this year.

However, both Pfizer and American vaccine maker Moderna have sought relaxation from Indian authorities.

An indemnity bond is one of the key demands from Pfizer and Moderna. This bond would shield the vaccine makers from any legal claims in the case of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) from the jabs in India.

Pfizer has, in fact, managed to obtain this legal protection in a number of countries where its vaccine is being administered, including the UK and the US.

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Credit: India Today | 23.06.2021