India-Pfizer: The Indian Government and Pfizer are seeking to resolve tensions over a demand by the U.S. vaccine manufacturer. The company sought protection from any claims against any serious side-effects of the vaccine.

India has not given an indemnity to any manufacturer of Coronavirus vaccine against the costs of compensation for severe side effects. This is a condition Pfizer has obtained in the countries where its shots have been used widely, such as the U.S. and Britain. But reportedly, some of the legal protection is still an option as India and Pfizer work to reach a deal on the vaccine.

India-Pfizer seek to resolve the dispute

It is critical for India’s central government to reach an agreement with Pfizer. The Indian Government is reportedly struggling to secure the required amount of COVID-19 vaccine doses as daily cases exceed 250,000. 98 per cent of India’s population still remains prone to infection.

According to media reports, India’s foreign minister, S. Jaishankar plans to visit the U.S. in the coming days to ease Pfizer’s concerns. He might offer the company some form of lawsuits. In exchange, the company must provide additional assistance with distributing its shots in India.

Reports state that the two parties discussed the issue of indemnity this week but have not reached a resolution yet. A Pfizer spokeswoman revealed to leading dailies that the company is still in talks with India on a deal. The two parties have not reached a deadlock but Pfizer is hopeful about reaching an agreement. The company has been consistent in its position on indemnity and will not change its approach for a deal with India, they said.

India pledged last month to accelerate the process of approvals for vaccine makers abroad. These makers include Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. However, none of them has sought permission from India’s drug regulator to sell their vaccine here.

As per the government data of May 22, 2021,  India has administered 19,32,17,819 COVID-19 vaccinations have been done.