SII In Damage Control Mode: ‘CEO Is Company’s Only Official Spokesperson’

Pune: Serum Institute of India (SII) got into damage control mode after one of its senior officials criticized the Centre’s vaccination policy.

The world’s largest vaccine maker clarified that its CEO Adar Poonawalla is the only official spokesperson of the company.

SII’s Executive Director Suresh Jadhav had said two days ago that the Union government had begun vaccinating people from multiple age groups without taking into account the availability of stocks.

Speaking at an online health summit, Jadhav had also said that the Centre did not consider WHO guidelines.

Serum Institute made it clear that these are not the company’s views, reported PTI.

Prakash Kumar Singh, SII’s Director of government and regulatory affairs, wrote to the Union Health ministry clarifying the company’s stand.

“On behalf of our CEO Adar C Poonawalla, I want to inform you that this statement is not issued on behalf of Serum Institute of India Private Limited and the Company completely dissociates itself from this statement. It is reiterated that this is not the view of the company at all,” Singh wrote.

“Serum is committed to maximise its Covishield production and it stands shoulder-to-shoulder to strengthen the government’s fight against Covid-19,” the letter said.