New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to include Bharat Biotech’s anti-Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin in the list of emergency use (EUL) in four to six weeks. WHO chief scientist Soumya Vishwanathan said this.
Addressing a webinar organized by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) on Friday, Swaminathan said that Bharat Biotech, the manufacturer of the vaccine, is uploading all its data on our portal, and WHO is reviewing this vaccine.
According to WHO guidelines, EUL is a process by which new or unlicensed products can be used in public health emergencies. “The EUL has a process in which a company has to complete Phase III trials and submit all the data to the regulatory department of WHO which is studied by an expert advisory group,” Swaminathan said.
“Full data is provided which includes safety and effectiveness and production quality, standards. Bharat Biotech has already submitted the data and I am hopeful that in four to six weeks a decision will be taken on the inclusion of the vaccine.”
Currently, WHO has approved vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech, AstraZeneca-SK Bio-Serum Institute of India, AstraZeneca EU, Janssen, Moderna, and Sinopharm for emergency use.
Swaminathan said, “Right now we have approved six vaccines with EUL and have received recommendations from our Strategic Expert Consultative Group. We are optimistic about Covaccine. Bharat Biotech has started putting their data on our portal and this will be the next vaccine which will be reviewed by our expert committee.”
He also said that the delta form of the coronavirus spreads rapidly. It is necessary to take two doses of the vaccine to protect against it. But even after getting vaccinated, the infection can spread. That’s why it is important to wear a mask and take other precautions.
