`Vaccine diplomacy': Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech to donate 2L `Covaxin' doses to Vietnam

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech will donate two lakh doses of `Covaxin' to the Republic of Vietnam.

Suchitra Ella, Joint Managing Director of Bharat Biotech revealed this at a function hosted by Virong Dinh Hue, President of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in New Delhi on Thursday.

It will be a gesture of goodwill from India to Vietnam.

Covaxin has received EUL in Vietnam. Bharat Biotech was invited by the Embassy of Vietnam for a one-on-one meeting with the President of the National Assembly, to discuss avenues of cooperation, supplies, and technology transfer possibilities.

On the occasion, Suchitra Ella said it is an honor to serve the Republic of Vietnam in a humble manner and wish Covaxin shipment will help boost up the country's national vaccination program and recovery from the pandemic.

"We believe in vaccine equity, global public health, and having access to the vaccine is vital for national health, and I hope everyone in the Republic of Vietnam will take advantage of having access to the widely administered, safe, and efficacious Covaxin," said Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech.

In Vietnam, Bharat Biotech has been working with Duc Minh Medical JSC, towards the commercialization of INDIRAB (Inactivated Rabies Vaccine). Bharat Biotech has also supplied INDIRAB to Vietnam to support their national rabies vaccine requirement.

Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech said it has completed Phase-2 and Phase-3 trials of Covaxin for children in the age group 2 to 18 years. The data has been submitted to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the final approval is awaited. On approval, children will also have access to Covaxin, the vaccine maker added.