Serum is permitted to export vaccines to all countries: CEO Poonawalla 

Serum Institute of India (SII) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adar Poonawalla today said they are permitted to export Covid-19 vaccines to all countries.

However, he did not mention about when they can export the vaccine.

In a tweet today, the Serum CEO said, "I would like to clarify two matters; as there is confusion in the public domain, exports of vaccines are permitted to all countries and a joint public statement clearing up any recent miscommunication with regards to Bharat Biotech will be made."

Two days ago he told AP in an interview that Indian government gave them approval on condition that they have to concentrate on meeting India's own immediate demand first in the next two months before exporting to other interested countries.

Besides, Serum has plan to give 200 to 300 million doses of the vaccine to COVAX by December 2021.

Bangladesh is set to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from Serum Institute at the same time the neighbouring country rolls out the jab for its citizens. An elaborate master plan has also been drawn up to vaccinate 80% of the population in two years.

But everything became uncertain when Serum CEO Sunday mentioned about 2-month embargo on the export of their vaccine.

Bangladesh is supposed to get the vaccine under the tripartite agreement inked among Bangladesh's health ministry, Beximco and the Serum Institute.