US to export Indian vaccine raw material, deploy expert team to help the country in tackling COVID-19 crisis

The United States on Sunday identified sources of specific raw material urgently required by Pune-based Serum Institute of India to produce its coronavirus vaccine - Covishield. This raw material will be made available to India immediately, said a top official in the US government.

A statement in this regard was issued by Emily Horne, spokesperson of the US National Security Council (NSC). Horne confirmed the same when asked about a phone call between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his American counterpart, Jake Sullivan.

"To help treat Covid-19 patients and protect front-line health workers in India, the United States has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal



Protective Equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India," said Emily Horne.

Over the last month, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla has sent out multiple tweets to US President Joe Biden, asking him to allow the export of raw material required for the production of Covid-19 vaccines to India.

During his phone call with NSA Ajit Doval on Sunday, Jake Sullivan affirmed America's solidarity with India and recounted the battles the two countries have fought together against smallpox, polio, and HIV.

"Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need," said a statement by the US NSC.