All over the world, from Bangladesh to Nepal to Rwanda, fragile hotspots have been struggling to cope with the stagnation of the Covid-19 vaccination program
India’s Serum Institute overpromises and underdelivers as Covid death toll mounts The Serum Institute of India’s travails are a key illustration of how the effort to inoculate against Covid-19 has failed the developing world 09 June 2021 - 16:04 Chris Kay and PR Sanjai Picture: REUTERS/DINUKA LIYANAWATTE
London/New Delhi Around the world, from Bangladesh to Nepal to Rwanda, vulnerable hotspots have been grappling with stalled Covid-19 vaccination programmes as they run out of doses. Many of those shortages can be traced back to a single company: The Serum Institute of India.
The world’s largest vaccine maker, Serum was named a top supplier of Covid-19 shots to Covax in 2020, the World Health Organisation-backed initiative aimed at securing an equitable global rollout. But the Indian company has been dogged by setbacks, from a ban on exports to a factory fire, which have hampered its ability to fill orders.