Serum Institute of India (SII) is planning to launch a vaccine for malaria soon. This was announced by Managing Director Cyrus Poonawala during a press conference organised by the Miss World Organisation in Pune.

Reportedly, Miss World 2023 team delegates were hosted by Dr. Poonawalla at the Ritz-Carlton, Pune.

“After the success of Covishield, for the first time in the world, SII will be launching a malaria vaccine,” said Dr. Poonawalla adding that the firm is also preparing a vaccine for dengue and that the cure for dengue would be ready in a year.

In 2020, India accounted for about 82 percent of all malaria deaths and as many cases in South-East Asia. According to government statistics, of all vector-borne diseases in India, the most cases in 2021 were of dengue and malaria.