The conclave had diverse topics for discussion such as animal health, human health, regulatory, resilient supply chain for pandemic preparedness, innovation

Indian Immunologicals in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and NDDB conducted a Conclave on Pandemic Preparedness & Vaccine Innovation in Hyderabad.

The conclave had diverse topics for discussion such as animal health, human health, regulatory, resilient supply chain for pandemic preparedness, innovation, artificial Intelligence in healthcare, cell and gene therapy vaccines and policy matters.

Dr Vinod K Paul, Member-Health, NITI AAYOG; Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; Dr Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Government of India; Rama Shankar Sinha, Joint Secretary (Livestock Health), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; Dr K Anand Kumar, MD, Indian Immunologicals; Dr Sanjay Shukla, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority, Ministry of Environment, forests and Climate change; Dr BR Gulati, Director NIVEDI and many experts from various field of healthcare, stakeholders from vaccine industry, CDSCO were present in the conference. 

The objective of this conclave on “Pandemic preparedness and vaccine innovation” is to ideate, explore and collaborate on the learnings of the pandemic, and to build a more robust and resilient healthcare system.   Several speakers from the national level and international levels including FAO and CEPI presented. IIL planted 141 trees to make the one-day Conclave carbon neutral, which speaks volumes of IIL’s commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon footprint.  

Speaking on the occasion Dr Paul informed, “One Health” approach is paramount to disease control. Hence, preparedness for pandemics with 100 days’ timeline will be the right way to prepare and face future pandemics. 

Upadhyaya informed that the government needs to spend more on animal health for better productivity and supply chain and cold chain systems to make the last mile delivery effective. Dr Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner stressed vaccine security and the need for pre-qualifications for animal vaccines.

Dr Anand Kumar said that the company is the single largest contributor to the nation in achieving self-sufficiency in the field of vaccines. Many animal and human vaccines produced in millions by IIL have not only offered affordability but also have saved several million lives. He said that we as a society are at a crossroads, faced with many issues and it is only collectively that the right path can be chosen.