New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit India’s top vaccine hubs in Pune and Hyderabad this weekend with coronavirus cases surging in parts of the country and amid redoubled efforts to zero in on an effective vaccine.
On Saturday, the PM will visit the Pune-based Serum Institute of India, which has partnered with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and the Oxford University for a COVID-19 vaccine.
An official in Pune confirmed the Prime Minister’s visit, and said he would review the status of the vaccine, including its launch, production and distribution mechanisms. “We have received a confirmation about PM Modi’s visit to the Serum Institute of India on Saturday, but his minute-to -minute program is yet to be received,” Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao told news agency Press Trust of India.
The same day, PM Modi is expected to travel to Hyderabad and visit Bharat BioTech, which is working on Covaxin, pitched as India’s first indigenous vaccine candidate. Cyberabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar told the Prime Minister was expected at 3:40 pm and after a visit to the facility between 4 and 5 pm, he would fly out at 5:40 pm.
The BJP was reportedly keen on PM Modi using the trip to campaign for the municipal elections in Hyderabad, but sources said the Saturday visit will not include any political activity.
