• India’s largest non-profit organization is currently seeking government approval.
• Reliance Foundation will not use the imported vaccines for commercial purposes.

Reliance Foundation, a Mumbai-based non-profit organization owned by Reliance Industries, has reportedly urged the Indian Government to allow the import of 2 million COVID-19 doses from American multinational pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.

The move will allow the group to quickly vaccinate its entire workforce across India. Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is meant for single time use and its transportation as well as its distribution process is relatively easier as compared to the other vaccines, cited sources close to Reliance Foundation.

However, the imported shots will not be used for commercial purposes. It has been speculated that the Foundation might also import vaccines from other producers as well for internal purposes.

For the record, Reliance Foundation is one of India’s largest non-profit organizations. It was founded in 2010 by Mukesh Ambani and is owned by Reliance Industries Limited, the multinational conglomerate.

Pharma giant Johnson & Johnson had previously asked for approval from India’s drug regulator to conduct a clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine in the country. This vaccine has already been approved by the USFDA (Food and Drug Administration) back in February 2021.

It is also worth mentioning that various startups that Reliance Industries Limited has mentored and acquired over the years like Dozee, HealthVectors, and LogiNext have long supported India’s fight against the novel Coronavirus.

Under its ‘One Reliance Family’ initiative, Reliance Industries Limited has announced several care packages for affected families. The company has also committed to paying the last draw salary of its deceased employees to their families for around five years.

The Indian multinational conglomerate will also bear all the education expenses of children of its deceased employees until they acquire a bachelor’s degree.

Source Credits –

https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/reliance-seeks-govt-nod-to-import-j-j-covid-vaccine-for-its-workforce-in-india-11622821776136.html