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| Source: CNN |
India has initiated one of the world’s massive Covid-19 vaccination programs to immunize more than 1.3 billion citizens of India. The country has enrolled more than 10.5 million COVID cases which is the second-highest reported case all over the world.
To accomplish this target the world's largest
vaccine manufacturer, the Serum Institute of India has played a significant
role in the fight against coronavirus.
The Serum Institute of India
The Serum Institute of India is currently the world's largest vaccine producer. It is spread over 100 acres in Pune, Maharashtra. This institute was established in 1966.
Now in the time of the pandemic, this institute is producing millions of doses of the Covishield vaccine which is manufactured by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Last year in November, Prime Minister of India Mr Narendra Modi had visited the Serum Institute to examine the growth of the coronavirus vaccine.
The Serum Institute also intends to supply 200 million doses to Covaxine, a World Health Organization which is trying to procure and distribute the vaccine to needy nations. Nine buildings are under construction to enhance manufacturing ability.
Serum Institute had made various other vaccines against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, and rubella which were not for Indians only but were also exported to more than 170 countries.
In recent years, the company has spent nearly a
billion dollars broadening and improving the Pune campus.
A Huge Fire Broke Out in Serum Institute
A massive fire broke out on 21 January 2021, Thursday afternoon, at terminal 1 gate of the largest vaccine producer Serum Institutes in Pune which left five people dead. A few hours later, a second fire broke out which was brought under control in some time.
The fire broke out on the fourth and fifth floors of the building which was brought under control. There was thick smoke rising from the building which dragged the attention of people living nearby. The heavy smoke made it hard for firemen to try to bring out the trapped people.
Several fire tenders reached the spot to suppress the flames. Police officials also hurried to the site and rescue many people working there. It took approximately three hours for firemen to bring the flame under control.
Both police and the company officials said the cause of the blaze was not immediately known. But later they speculated that the reason for the fire breakout is an electrical default.
Even after a deadly fire at an under-construction building, there would be no loss of production of the Covisheild vaccine. The five who died in this fire were contractual labourers and Serum Institute has announced Rs 25 lakh each to their families as compensation.
About eight or nine buildings are being constructed at the Manjari complex which aims to deal with future pandemics and to enhance the Serum institutions manufacturing capability.
Manjari is the complex where the fire broke out and it is just a distance far from the facility where the COVID-19 vaccines are produced. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray tweeted on this incident.
He said that he is in touch with the Pune Municipal Commissioner for all updates. Mr Thackeray had instructed the state machinery to coordinate and ensure that the situation will now be under control.
A team of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force)
was also present at the site of the fire.
World Largest Vaccination Drive
Covishield is one of two vaccines authorized by the Indian government for use in its vaccination program is the largest in the world.
India initiated the world's largest coronavirus vaccine rollout after two vaccines-- Covishield and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's Covaxin-- were cleared by the drug controller DCGI.
The Indian health ministry has planned for 300 million people to be vaccinated by August. Frontline healthcare workers, police, and the army have been given priority for vaccination which will be all free of cost.
Maharashtra is one of the states which is badly affected by coronavirus plans to vaccinate 50,000 healthcare workers on the first day of the vaccine rollout.
Due to easy availability and in an attempt to the
production of low-cost vaccines, the Serum institute has proved to be a boon
for India. The Serum Institute of India has already manufactured and stockpiled
around 50m doses of Covishield.
Conclusion
The Serum Institute has now become a major site for cheap and effective drugs in India. As of now, it is great relief that the fire has not affected the stock.
India has begun the exporting of the vaccines
with the first batch sent to Bhutan and the Maldives, followed by two million
doses to Bangladesh and one million to Nepal. Doses produced at the institution
will go to India and many other underprivileged countries.
Written By - Supriya Singh
Edited by - Christeena George
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