The chief executive officer (CEO) of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute of India (SII), is looking to leave India after receiving serious threats from influential people of the country to expedite vaccine production and ensuring its delivery.
After receiving threats of dire consequences, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla is apparently looking forward to starting a vaccine production unit in United Kingdom (UK).
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Interestingly, the company’s head recently leased a property at £50,000, around $69,000, a week in London’s Mayfair area.
Had an excellent meeting with all our partners & stakeholders in the U.K. Meanwhile, pleased to state that COVISHIELD’s production is in full swing in Pune. I look forward to reviewing operations upon my return in a few days.
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) May 1, 2021
Serum Institute of India is the heart of vaccine manufacturing as it has produced AstraZeneca and Oxford University covid-19 shots. Its share in vaccine distribution to Indian population is nearly 90%. However, the swelling demand has hampered the supply.
In an interview with The Times, SII head said that he was vilified, blamed, and warned of dire consequences for slowing down covid-19 vaccine supply.
Poonawalla claimed of getting calls from the powerful people in the state including chief ministers, business magnates, and others.
However, he refused to comment on Kumbh Mela or any other political or religious gatherings that are to be blamed for the covid-19 crisis in India.
He said that the kind of aggression and expectation to get vaccines was never seen before.
“They are saying if you don’t give us the vaccine it’s not going to be good… It’s not foul language. It’s the tone. It’s the implication of what they might do if I don’t comply. It’s taking control. It’s coming over and basically surrounding the place and not letting us do anything unless we give in to their demands,” Poonawalla told The Times.