Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday at the United Nations General Assembly through a video message said that India's coronavirus vaccine production and delivery capacity will help all humanity in fighting the pandemic.
"Even during these very difficult times of the raging pandemic, the pharmaceutical industry of India has sent essential medicines to more than 150 countries," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"As the largest vaccine producing country of the world, I want to give one more assurance to the global community today. India`s vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis," he added.
PM Modi further said in India and in "our neighbourhood, we are moving ahead with phase 3 clinical trials in India" adding, "India will also help all the countries in enhancing their cold chain and storage capacities for the delivery of the Vaccines."
"Further in the address, PM Modi said despite the ongoing pandemic, India is moving towards a "Self Reliant India" adding that it would be a " Force Multiplier for the Global Economy".
Meanwhile, Phase-III trials of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine 'COVAXIN' will start in Lucknow and Gorakhpur from October.
Meanwhile, vaccine innovator Bharat Biotech on Wednesday announced a licensing agreement with Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) in St Louis for a novel chimp-adenovirus, single-dose intranasal vaccine for COVID-19.
With this, Bharat Biotech owns the right to distribute the vaccine in all markets except the USA, Japan, and Europe.
Further, the Serum Institute of India is all set to begin phase three trials of the Covishield Vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University at Sassoon General Hospital in Pune.
With a spike of 85,362 coronavirus cases and 1,089 deaths in 24 hours, India`s tally on Saturday reached 59,03,932 cases, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
Out of the total cases, 9,60,969 are currently active, 48,49,584 have been discharged, while 93,379 lost the battle against the viral disease.
While the recovery rate stands at 81.74 per cent, the fatality rate has come down to 1.59 per cent.
(With ANI inputs)
