After Pfizer, Moderna, now Serum Institute of India seeks indemnity from liability: Sources

Punebased Serum Institute of India SII which manufactures Covishield has also sought indemnity from liability expressing the hope that rules would be the same for everyone said sourcesThis comes as the Centre is favourably considering granting indemnity against legal proceedings to foreign vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna prior to their rollout in IndiaAll vaccine makers whether Indian or foreign should be granted the same protection the Adar Poonawallaled company has reportedly told the governmentNot just Serum Institute of India SII all the vaccine companies should get indemnity protection against liabilities if foreign companies are granted it it further saidIt is learnt that Serum is hoping that rules should be same for everyoneAlso Read Norms for clearing foreignmade Covid19 vaccines eased by DCGIThe Serum Institute produces Covishield the Indian name for the AstraZenecaOxford jab and is involved in trials for three new antiCovid19 vaccinesBesides OxfordAstraZenecas Covishield vaccine and Novovaxs Covovax the SII has also applied to the Drug Controller General of India DCGI to manufacture the Russian Sputnik V Covid19 vaccine in India Sputnik V is currently being imported by Dr Reddys LaboratoriesAccording to reports the Centre is apparently considering granting indemnity to vaccine manufacturing companies if they applied for Emergency Use Authorisation EUA Till date no Indian vaccine company has ever paid indemnity and neither has the Central government the biggest vaccine user done soAdvanced trials are on for Covovax being developed in collaboration with the pharma company Novovax Codagenix a singledose nasal vaccine is in phase 12 trials in the UK The third SpyBiotech is a novel viruslike particle vaccine which is also in trialsThe government has so far not given any manufacturer indemnity or protection against legal action for any severe side effectsThis is a key condition put forth by foreign vaccinemakers Pfizer and Moderna for supplying to IndiaCountries like the US have granted indemnity from liability to Covid19 vaccine manufacturing companies for the possibility of something going wrong with their vaccines They cannot be sued for compensation if there are any adverse effects from the shotDr VK Paul the head of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration had said last month that the government is engaged with Pfizer and they have indicated the availability of a certain amount of vaccine in the coming months possibly starting in JulyWe are looking at what their expectations from the government are and they are looking at what our expectations from them are Paul said adding they have requested indemnity to all the nations including the country of originThe NITI Ayog member Health also said that the government is also examining the request and will take a decision in the larger interest of people and on meritsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever