Serum Institute of India applies for emergency approval of Covid vaccine candidate 'Covishield'

Serum Institute of India (SII) has applied for emergency approval of made-in-India covid vaccine candidate, Covishield.

SII CEO Adar Poonawalla has confirmed it and said it will save countless lives.

He also thanked the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their invaluable support.

SII, the world's largest vaccine producer by volume, had sought emergency use



authorization in the country for AstraZeneca Plc's COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

The company applied to the Drugs Controller General of India, citing unmet medical needs due to the pandemic and in the interest of the public at large. 

The move comes close on the heels of Pfizer Inc applying for a similar authorization of its coronavirus vaccine in India.