India’s Serum Institute will ship COVID-19 vaccines to Canada within a month according to a Reuters report.
On Monday Adar Poonawalla, the chief executive of Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine maker, reaffirmed that commitment.
“As we await regulatory approvals from Canada, I assure you, @SerumInstIndia will fly out #COVISHIELD to Canada in less than a month; I’m on it!” Poonawalla said in a tweet, using the brand name under which Serum produces the shot developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca Plc.
A spokesperson for Procurement Minister Anita Anand said the federal government will announce details when a deal is finalized.
According to a readout issued by Trudeau’s office after last week’s call with his Indian counterpart, the two leaders “spoke about India’s significant efforts in promoting vaccine production and supply, which have provided vital support to countries around the world”.
It added that the two leaders “agreed to work together on access to vaccines”.
PM Modi also said India would do its best to supply COVID-19 vaccines sought by Canada.
“Was happy to receive a call from my friend @JustinTrudeau. Assured him that India would do its best to facilitate supplies of COVID vaccines sought by Canada,” Modi tweeted.
In a statement following the call, Modi’s office reiterated that Trudeau spoke with Modi about “Canada’s requirements” of vaccines from India and thanked Modi for supporting Canada’s vaccination efforts.
Serum Institute of India has emerged as a key vaccine supplier amid the pandemic. Canada, on the other hand, is relying on foreign supplies owing to a lack of domestic vaccine production capabilities.
Experts and officials say India has been trying to use its vaccine dominance to shore up diplomatic support.
