Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla To Get 'Y' Category Security On All-India Basis After Threats Over Vaccine Supplies

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to provide Y-category security to Serum Institute of India (SII) chief executive officer (CEO) Adar Poonawalla.

The Serum Institute is the manufacturer of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, Covishield, which is being used in India's vaccination drive.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will provide the Y category security to the Serum CEO on all-India basis, reports ANI.

The decision to provide security to Poonawalla reportedly comes after SII official Prakash Kumar Singh had written to the MHA on 16 April requesting security to SII chief.

In the letter, Singh had reportedly alleged that Poonwalla was getting threats from various groups regarding the Covid-19 vaccine supplies.

It should be noted that Y category include a security detail of 11 personnel, including one or two commandos and police personnel.

The development comes as the SII on Wednesday (29 April) announced that it is reducing the price of Covishield vaccines for sale to states from Rs 400 per dose to Rs 300 per dose.