Bangalore, 16 April 2021: In an unprecedented action, Serum Institute of India CEO Mr Adar Poonawalla has appealed directly to US President Mr Joe Biden to lift restrictions on exports of some key raw materials from the US that Serum needs to make the Covishield vaccine to prevent Covid infection.

“ I humbly request you to lift the embargo of raw material exports out of the US so that vaccine production can ramp up,” Mr Poonawalla appealed in a tweet directly tagging US President@ POTUS ( the official twitter handle of the President of the United States)

“ Your administration has the details,” Mr Poonawalla mentioned in the tweet. “ Respected@POTUS, if we  are to truly unite in beating this virus, on behalf of the vaccine industry outside the US, I humbly request you to lift the embargo of raw material exports out of the US…” he appealed.

Serum has been striving to increase monthly production of Covishield to at least 110 million doses, but has been facing shortage of key raw materials that are required from US based suppliers. Just like the National Disaster Management Act invoked by India, the US government has resorted to the Defense Production Act to assign priority to the US government vaccine orders by US-based companies. 

Only case by case exports of all covid vaccine related materials could be exported by US based companies. Hence this direct appeal to the US President.

Oxygen shortage 

Facing immense shortage of medical oxygen, the government has also decided to import 50,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen. The government has asked all Indian embassies to identify and source medical oxygen on priority basis

"In view of increasing demand for medical oxygen, the Government has decided to float a tender for import of 50,000 MT of medical oxygen. MOHFW ( ministry of health and family welfare)has been directed to finalise the tender for the same and also explore possible sources for import identified by the missions of MEA( ministry of external affairs," the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) said in a statement.

The government has also directed all states to give priority to the movement of oxygen transporting trucks across borders to ensure speedy delivery of this vital life saving product.

 

In an unprecedented action, Serum Institute of India CEO Mr Adar Poonawalla has appealed directly to US President Mr Joe Biden to lift restrictions on exports of some key raw materials from the US that Serum needs to make the Covishield vaccine to prevent Covid infection.