Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday spoke to Serum Institute CEO, Adar Poonawalla over a video call to discuss on progress of Covid vaccine.
The Chief Minister expressed happiness that Serum Institute has partnered with Oxford University to develop Covid vaccine and congratulated for the recent promising results published in Lancet on Covid vaccine.
Patnaik sought his cooperation to keep Odisha as a priority for vaccination once necessary clearances are obtained.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government will be in touch with Serum Institute for this purpose.
Poonawalla appreciated the CM for getting in touch with Serum institute for knowing about the progress of vaccine and the results published in Lancet.
He said that Oxford University vaccine has shown promising results in the first phase trial. “In India, the next phase trial will start in mid August and the vaccine will be ready by October-November this year,” he added.
He further said Serum institute and State government can be in touch with each other and carry forward the collaboration once the vaccines are cleared and ready.
Among others, Chief Secretary, Chief Advisor to CMO, ACS Health and Secretary to CM (5-T) were present.
