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Proof of third-party vaccination in vaccination card
Photo: Wolfgang Kumm / dpa
Since the beginning of September, older people and those with certain pre-existing conditions can also receive a booster vaccination against Corona in Germany. For the head of the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, which is based in India, this is a grievance in view of the continuing shortage of corona vaccines in poorer countries. "It is unethical to give someone three doses when others in certain countries and populations have not even received two doses," said Adar Poonawalla, executive director of the Serum Institute of India (SII).
Several European countries, such as Germany, offer third-party vaccinations for particularly vulnerable population groups.
Israel was the first country to even start making booster vaccinations available to all citizens.
In the US, the government wants booster vaccinations to start next Monday, but there is a dispute within the responsible FDA.
The WHO has also sharply criticized the third-party vaccinations in the rich countries of the world.
The supply of vaccines to poorer countries is still faltering; millions of people there have not even received their first vaccination.
The Indian SII produces 160 million doses a month of the corona vaccine from the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca under the name Covishield.
In order to increase production, the company will acquire shares in the rival pharmaceutical company Biocon Biologics for $ 4.9 billion, announced Poonawalla.
From October onwards, 200 million vaccine doses will be produced every month.
fdi / AFP
