'Great To See India's Leadership In Scientific Innovation': Bill Gates Hails India's Covid-19 Vaccine Development

On Tuesday, philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft Bill Gates hailed India’s leadership in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic through its scientific innovation and vaccine manufacturing capability, reports Hindustan Times.

“It’s great to see India’s leadership in scientific innovation and vaccine manufacturing capability as the world works to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bill Gates tweeted.

The US business magnate had previously written to PM Modi hailing the Aarogya Setu digital app which was launched for coronavirus cases tracking, contact tracing, and to connect people to health services.

“We commend your leadership and the proactive measures you and your government have taken to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 infection rate in India, such as adopting a national lockdown, expanding focused testing to identify hot spots for isolation, quarantining, and care, and significantly increasing health expenditures to strengthen the health system response and promote R&D and digital innovation,” Gates had written in April 2020.

On Sunday, India's drugs regulator Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute and indigenously developed Covaxin of Hyderabad based pharma company Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country.

“The Indian scientists have been successful in coming up with two 'made in India' COVID19 vaccines. The country is proud of its scientists,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inaugural address at National Metrology Conclave on Monday.

India has one of the largest vaccine manufacturing capacities in the world. India’s vaccine rollout will begin with frontline healthcare workers and individuals over the age of 50 years gaining priority.