India eyeing Moderna and Pfizer

India is looking to get American vaccines amidst the turmoil.

The CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) is a department that has been working to roll out oxygen generation plants immediately and has been responsible for many of the tech used in the creation of the Indian vaccines. Moreover, CSIR has for the past six months been in contact with Moderna and Pfizer in order to bring their effective vaccines in India to counter the new mutant of the "SARS-CoV- 2" or COVID-19.

So far, however, CSIR has not been able to find any luck with Moderna - who seems to be 'not interested'; while Pfizer is seemingly reassessing the situation.

On 4th May 2021, the centre cleared Moderna and Pfizer vaccine and have deemed it suitable for use. The centre has provided a stance of indemnifying the vaccine makers (the act of compensating for any loss). This has urged Pfizer to reconsider its stance.

Earlier this year, the American Pharma giant withdrew its application for supplying to India as the centre did not sign indemnity bonds. This is a legal protective bond that the centre would promise to Pfizer to immunise them from being sued or penalised for any side effects caused by their vaccines.

On the other hand, the Johnson & Johnson company are keen on coming to India; however, they have been halted as six women developed severe form of blood clotting after being administered their vaccine.

The stance remains for India to indemnify not only Pfizer but all the manufacturers.

On the other hand, Moderna is not keen on entering the large Indian market. They believe that they have too much on their hands - however, as the Indian government may consider the immunity clause CSIR would begin to pursue them again.

The ball's in the centre government's court.