2020-05-19

Q: Serum Institute has recently tied with the Oxford Institute. The Oxford team is doing research on a vaccine for the Coronavirus. Can you please tell us when the vaccine will come?  

A: The scientists who have developed the Ebola vaccine in the past are in the team led by Oxford Institute that is doing research on the Coronavirus vaccine. We all are waiting for the vaccine which is approved and safe. Once that happens we are hoping to jump-start into manufacturing. At personal risk and cost, we will start producing it by the end of May. If the trails come out as positive by September or October we will then have vaccines ready to give the people of our country and some other countries. This will help us in having vaccine stocks ready once the trials are successful.

Q: Trails of a vaccine takes time. Do you think the research by Oxford will be able to do it fast?

A: Traditionally. it does take time, because of regulatory hurdles. But since the time Modiji has become Prime Minister, he has been fast-tracking all the permissions. For Covid-19, we have got single-window clearance from ICMR, drug council, health ministry all working together and are responding so well in time. This is why we will be able to do it in such a short period of time. Technically, there is also a question being raised, will we be able to create a vaccine in such a short period of time which will be safe to use. We have to be very careful. It does take time. But, we will ensure that we develop a safe and efficient vaccine. In the past, it might not have happened in such a short period of time. But today, technologies are making it possible.

Q: How much of money will you put in for the development of this vaccine?

A: We have commissioned around 500 to 600 crore manufacturing plant for the development of the vaccine. But to develop this plant, it will take time. Right now we are using the current plant. We will be talking with the government once we have something in the hand to be compensated. We have always made vaccines at cheaper cost.