Pune: The Serum Institute of India (SII) has announced its ambitious plan to introduce a pioneering malaria vaccine in the country. Cyrus Poona Walla, Managing Director of SII, revealed this incredible development during a press conference organized by the Miss World Organisation in Pune. The event, hosted at the Ritz-Carlton, Pune, welcomed the delegates of Miss World 2023.
Building on the triumphant rollout of Covishield, Poonawalla proudly shared that SII is on the cusp of launching a revolutionary malaria vaccine – a pioneering achievement on a global scale. His words resonated through various media outlets, capturing the excitement surrounding this ground-breaking endeavor.
Furthermore, Poonawalla disclosed that SII is concurrently engaged in crafting a vaccine for dengue, an additional stride towards bolstering public health defences. During the press briefing, he assured that the dengue vaccine would be attainable within a year’s time.
The significance of these advancements cannot be understated, especially within the context of India’s healthcare landscape. As of 2020, India accounted for a staggering 82 percent of global malaria-related deaths, along with a high number of cases in the South-East Asian region. Recent government statistics underline the prevalence of vector-borne diseases in the country, with dengue and malaria leading the chart in 2021.
SII’s dedication to innovation marks a remarkable stride forward in combating these health challenges, raising hopes for a healthier and more resilient nation.