Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday spoke to Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla over a video call during which he sought the latter’s cooperation in giving priority to Odisha for availability of Covid-19 vaccination after necessary statutory clearances.
Patnaik said the State Government would be in touch with the SII for this purpose. He expressed happiness that the SII has partnered with the Oxford University to develop a Covid-19 vaccine.
He also applauded the philanthropic activities carried out by Poonawalla and his foresight in tying up with various research institutions across the globe to develop this vaccine.
Poonawalla appreciated Patnaik’s getting in touch with the SII to know about the progress of the vaccine.
He said the Oxford University’s vaccine has shown promising results in the first-phase trial. In India, the next phase trial would begin in mid-August and the vaccine would be ready by October-November this year, he added.
Poonawalla further said that the SII and the Odisha Government can be in touch with each other and carry forward the collaboration once the vaccine is cleared and available.