Expect Normal Life By October: Adar Poonawalla

Pune: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla is expecting approval for COVID-19 vaccine by end of December, while the vaccination drive in the country could start by next month.

More significantly, Poonawalla said he expects normal life to return by October 2021.

Speaking at The Economic Times Global Business Summit, Poonawalla said: “By this month-end, we might get an emergency licence, but the actual licence for wider use might come at a later date. But we are confident that if the regulators give a nod, India’s vaccination drive can start by January 2021.”

He explained that once 20-30 per cent of the population is vaccinated, market confidence will be back and by September-October, there will be enough vaccines for everyone.

The government wants to procure 300-400 million doses by July 2021, Poonawalla informed.

Serum Institute is also going to manufacture Novavax vaccine, which is in phase 3 trials.

The states are gearing up for 100 shots per day from designated centres. Every person will be monitored for 30 minutes after inoculation.