Business

The world’s largest vaccine maker suspends production of Covid-19 vaccines when there are up to 200 million doses in stock

The Serum Institute of India is the world’s largest vaccine producer and a major supplier of vaccines against Covid-19 to developing countries. It stopped producing new batches of the injectable drug after its stockpile increased to 200 million doses amid a global oversupply.

On Friday, at the India Economic Peace Conference organized by the Times Network, the Institute’s director Adar Poonawalla said he was worried about waste if the vaccines were to expire. “We have 200 million doses in stock. We had to stop production in December. I even offered free injections to anyone in need,” he said.

The picture was different. Instead of worrying about not having enough vaccines to inject, the world has an excess of vaccines against Covid-19. Vaccine manufacturers have made major investments to increase production capacity over the past year. Some new manufacturers invest after most countries have given 2 doses to the majority of their population.

The global adjustment to living with the virus has also reduced the urgency for booster shots, with the exception of China and Hong Kong which are enforcing the Zero Covid policy.

This change is particularly dramatic in India. Just a year ago, India enacted an export ban on vaccines to ensure sufficient supplies for people in the country. The country now allows everyone over 18 to get the booster shot, and Mr Poonawalla called for it to be broadened. He said that the Indian government is also expected to reduce the recommended interval for the booster shot from 9 months to 6 months after the second shot.

Mr Poonawala said the Serum Institute of India is a core supplier to the WHO-backed Covax programme, which helps ensure vaccine supplies to developing countries. The institute is drafting a “global pandemic pact” to bring about the free flow and coordination of essential resources such as raw materials for vaccine production during the next crisis.

Serum Institute of India has cited protectionist measures in other countries that have resulted in shortages of raw materials. This was one reason for the failure to meet vaccine production targets at the height of the pandemic.

Like in most other countries, India has largely weathered the pandemic. Even so, the resurgence of infections prompted the capital New Delhi to reinstate the mandatory mask wearing order in public places this week.

https://cafef.vn/nha-san-xuat-vac-xin-lon-nhat-the-gioi-tam-ngung-ngung-san-xuat-vac-xin-covid-19-khi-co-toi- 200-million-lieu-ton-inventory-20220422214433815.chn


Minh Phuong

You are reading the article The world’s largest vaccine maker suspends production of Covid-19 vaccines when there are up to 200 million doses in stock
at Blogtuan.info – Source: cafebiz.vn – Read the original article here

Back to top button