Chinese hackers target Indian vaccine makers SII, Bharat Biotech, says security firm

A healthcare worker administers a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, marketed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) as COVISHIELD to Rodolfo Mayer, 82, at a vaccination center in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 22, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/Files

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A Chinese state-backed hacking group has in recent weeks targeted the IT systems of two Indian vaccine makers whose coronavirus shots are being used in the country's immunisation campaign, cyber intelligence firm Cyfirma told Reuters.

Rivals China and India have both sold or gifted COVID-19 shots to many countries. India produces more than 60% of all vaccines sold in the world.