Pfizer, in its talks with the Modi govt has asked for pre-orders and advance payment in order to supply its vaccines to India. The pharma giant also issued a statement making clear that it will deal only with the central govt with regards to supply of vaccines. This was followed by attempts made by some state governments to procure vaccines directly from various pharma companies including Pfizer.
Another condition of invoking the indemnity clause was also reportedly discussed in the company’s meeting with government officials. This particular clause would shield Pfizer from paying any compensation in case of an adverse reaction to its m-RNA vaccine. This will be another problematic demand for the government as India hasn’t provided any such protection to the two other vaccine manufacturers – Serum Institute of India(SII) and Bharat Biotech. According to Pfizer, these are the same conditions on which it has supplied vaccines to other countries as well. The demands are reportedly being discussed at the highest level within the government. The vaccine which provides 95% protection against Covid-19 infection is in huge demand and the manufacturer is committed to supply vaccines to a host of countries till as late as 2023. However, Pfizer has assured that in case a deal gets finalized with the government, it will provide the latest technology needed for co-production of its vaccine which would include modifications needed to fight the new variants of the virus.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a visit to the United States where he is expected to meet the executives of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. On Tuesday, he held a meeting with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres where he emphasized the importance of finding solutions to the vaccine crisis and called for ramping up the supply chains in order to increase vaccine production.
A warm & comprehensive meeting with UN Secretary General @antonioguterres.
Discussed the Covid challenge,underlining the importance of finding urgent&effective global vaccine solutions.Critical to ramp up the vaccine supply chain to ensure greater production&fairer distribution pic.twitter.com/fDAwTyNCRt
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 25, 2021