India is close to agreeing to grant foreign COVID-19 vaccine makers such as Pfizer Inc protection against legal liability so that it can use their shots in an immunisation campaign that is facing acute shortages, three government sources told Reuters.
“Indemnity will be granted,” said one of the sources. “If one company gets it then all of them get it.”
India invited Pfizer (PFE.N), Moderna (MRNA.O) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) in April to sell their vaccines after infections rocketed. However, no deal has been signed.
Pfizer has not sold to any country without obtaining indemnity against legal action over any adverse effects of their product.
India has not granted indemnity to any COVID-19 vaccine maker, but the sources, who requested anonymity, said the government was having a change of heart.
The government has already met one of Pfizer’s other key demands by dropping a requirement that foreign vaccines undergo local trials.
Another government official said…
