Adar Poonawalla takes Covishield shot, congratulates PM Modi

Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Serum Institute of India. Credit: Reuters Photo

Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawala, who heads the world’s largest vaccine maker, on Saturday, took Covishield as the country launched a coordinated vaccination drive to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Poonawala, who turned 40 a day earlier, also complimented Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful rollout of Covid-19 vaccination drive.

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“I wish India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi great success in launching the world’s largest Covid vaccination roll-out. It brings me great pride that Covishield is part of this historic effort and to endorse its safety and efficacy, I join our health workers in taking the vaccine myself," he said.

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Poonawala also shared a video of him taking the vaccine.

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The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had earlier this month approved Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.

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Meanwhile, around 1.11 crore vaccine doses of Covishield have been sent across India, and the company is likely to provide 5 to 6 crore more doses by February, said SII.

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