UK become the first country to grant emergency approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine claiming it to provide up to 95 percent protection against COVID-19 illness, and will be vaccinating people from next week. Despite this, the US firm said that it is committed to engaging with the Indian government to explore opportunities to roll it out here. But the vaccine will be challenge for India as it needs to be stored at -70 degrees, according to experts.

"The US firm said that it is committed to engaging with the Indian government to explore opportunities to roll it out here"

Roma Nair, Pfizer spokeswoman told TOI, “We are committed to advance our dialogue with the Indian government. We are working with governments across the world to understand the infrastructure requirements of each country and we have logistical plans in place. We are confident the rollout can be managed in India”.

Using advanced purchase agreements, several countries including UK, US and EU have pre-ordered millions of doses of the vaccine. US has pre-ordered 100 million doses, and EU 200 million with a further option of ordering another 100 million. UK has pre-ordered 40 million.