Availability of foreign Covid vaccines to get delayed over indemnity issue
Even as foreign Covid-19
vaccines get the Indian regulator’s nod, actual availability may be
still some time away. Sources claim that India is not keen to ‘bow down’ to
demands related to indemnity against legal liabilities in case any vaccine
recipient develops severe adverse reactions post inoculation.
“Talks are on with foreign vaccine makers.
However, there is a general consensus that if indemnity is given, then it will
be for all vaccine players, not just a handful,” said a senior government
official who added that no final decision has been taken on the matter yet.
US vaccine makers including Pfizer,
Moderna have sought indemnity against adverse side effects following
vaccination. One source in the government pointed out that indemnity sought in
the ‘current form’ may not be granted, and India has proposed some changes in
the clauses.
“There are enough options available before
India now, and supplies are expected to increase from September-October
onwards. Unless there is a shortage or a crisis of vaccines, foreign vaccines
may not play a critical role in India’s immunisation mission as only small
volumes are expected from them initially,” the source cited above said. Read
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