Serum Institute of India (SII) has reported that they are yet to receive raw materials from the US needed to produce the Novavax vaccine despite diplomatic interventions by India.
One of the official of SII requesting anonymity said that the delay in receiving raw materials such as bioreactor bags and enzymes means that SII’s launch of the Novavax vaccine, branded as Covovax in India, will not likely happen before September this year as planned originally. The US lifted the export ban on raw materials on June 4.
An interview with ANI White House officially stated, “It’s fair to say that we are far ahead of where anyone thought we would be in our fight against the virus. And, importantly, we have secured enough vaccine supply for all Americans… As a result, we are removing the DPA priority ratings for AstraZeneca, Novavax and Sanofi. While the manufacturers will continue to make these vaccines, the action will allow US-based firms that supply to these manufacturers to make their decisions on the orders to fulfil first,”
Previously, US vaccine maker Novavax declared that its Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated 90% efficacy in phase 3 trials. SII is the manufacturing partner for Novavax in India where the firm has committed to producing up to 1 billion doses. SII is the world’s No. 1 vaccine maker, has been faltering on its international commitments.
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