The University of Massachusetts has conferred Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, with the Honorary Degree of “Doctor of Science Hon” for his commendable work in the field of vaccines.

Known as one of the ‘seven vaccine heroes of the world’ by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Poonawalla is the Founder of Serum Institute of India, world’s largest vaccine manufacturer producing 1.5 billion doses annually that are administered in 170 countries.

Dr Poonawalla said, “I am grateful to the University of Massachusetts for recognising our work. I strongly feel that we need to treat the field of vaccination with the respect it deserves. It’s not just another field related to medical science. But one of the most important ones. We need more precautionary measures than cures for betterment of human life and vaccination is one such measure”.

In the past, this degree has been awarded to Barack Obama, in the year 2006, Anthony S Fauci, Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease in the year 2008 and Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and the 2011 co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.

Along with Dr Poonawallah, physician-scientist Huda Y. Zoghbi and Duke University nursing leader Marion E Broome were conferred with the Honorary Degree if "Doctor of Science Hon." for their accomplishments as well.

Dr Poonawalla is also the first Indian to receive the award for “Excellence in Inter-American Public Health” by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF).