India’s vaccine makers to receive Padma Bhushan for 2022

Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairman of Poonawalla Group which includes Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally, has been conferred with Padma Bhushan award for 2022 for the work on COVID-19 vaccine- Covishield. In 1966, Dr Poonawalla founded SII which launched its first therapeutic anti-tetanus serum within two years, and began producing anti-tetanus vaccines. Since then, Dr Poonawalla has contributed immensely towards the field of vaccines in India. Alongside, Bharat Biotech’s Dr Krishna Ella (Chairman & Managing Director) and Suchitra Ella (Joint Managing Director) will also be receiving the prestigious Padma Bhushan award for tirelessly working on developing India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine- Covaxin. Under Dr Ella’s leadership, Bharat Biotech has grown to become a global leader in innovative vaccine. These awards will be conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year. This year the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards. Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.