PM Modi takes 3-City Tour to Review Vaccine Development and Manufacturing

On November 28, PM Narendra Modi began his three-city tour starting from Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad followed by Bharat Biotech’s facility in Hyderabad and Serum Institute of India(SII) in Pune to review the COVID-19 vaccine development and manufacturing process in the country.

In a tweet, PM said,” Visited the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad to know more about the indigenous DNA based vaccine being developed by Zydus Cadila. I compliment the team behind this effort for their work. Government of India is actively working with them to support them in this journey.”

Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech is undergoing phase-3 trials. The company has successfully completed first trial while second trial is soon to be announced.

“At the Bharat Biotech facility in Hyderabad, was briefed about their indigenous COVID-19 vaccine. Congratulated the scientists for their progress in the trials so far. Their team is closely working with ICMR to facilitate speedy progress.” Modi tweeted.

Biotech has partnered with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a country made covid-19 vaccine using the virus strain isolated by ICMR’s NIV based in Pune while SII has partnered with global pharma giant Astra Zeneca and Oxford University for the vaccine.

On Friday, PMO wrote on tweeter ,”Tomorrow, PM Narendra Modi will embark on a 3 city visit to personally review the vaccine development and manufacturing process. He will visit the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and Serum Institute of India in Pune.”

“As India enters a decisive phase of the fight against Covid-19, PM Modi’s visit to these facilities and discussions with the scientists will help him get a first-hand perspective of the preparations, challenges and roadmap in India’s endeavour to vaccinate its citizens,” the PMO added.