Serum Institute of India seeks indemnity protection against liabilities

Serum Institute of India (SII), the company producing the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine has sought legal protection from any claims linked to the use of their Covid-19 vaccines, news agency ANI reported on Thursday.

India has so far not given any manufacturer of a Covid-19 vaccine indemnity against the costs of compensation for any severe side effects.

The development comes a day after reports of the Indian government leaning in favour of granting indemnity to Pfizer and Moderna started doing rounds.

Quoting government sources, reports stated that like other countries, the Indian government will also grant indemnity to the companies if they apply for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA).

Not just Serum Institute of India (SII), all the vaccine companies should get indemnity protection against liabilities if foreign companies are granted the same," said the source.

India is currently using made-in-India vaccines -- Covishield manufactured by SII and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech -- for its COVID-19 vaccination programme. Russian Sputnik V is the third vaccine to get approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use.

The country is currently using Covishield -- manufactured by SII -- and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for its Covid-19 vaccination drive. Russian Sputnik V is the third vaccine to get approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use.

Not just Serum Institute of India (SII), all the vaccine companies should get indemnity protection against liabilities if foreign companies are granted the same: Sources#COVID19https://t.co/5AhaIjegyu

— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2021