WHO says it ‘cannot cut corners’ in approving India’s Covaxin shot

WHO says it ‘cannot cut corners’ in approving India’s Covaxin shot

October 20, 2021   10:12 am

The World Health Organization on Monday asked for further data from India’s Bharat Biotech to consider the company’s request for an emergency-use listing for its COVID-19 shot, saying the WHO could not “cut corners” in making a decision.

Bharat Biotech, which developed Covaxin with an Indian state research body, started sharing data with the WHO from early July. The vaccine was given emergency-use authorisation in India in January even before the completion of a late-stage trial, which later found the shot to be 78% efficacious.

Without a WHO nod, the two-dose Covaxin is unlikely to be accepted as a valid vaccine around the world and would complicate travel plans for tens of millions of Indians who have taken it. Covaxin accounts for 11% of the 985.5 million total doses administered in India, and has also been exported.

“We are aware that many people are waiting for WHO’s recommendation for Covaxin to be included in the #COVID19 Emergency Use Listing, but we cannot cut corners,” the WHO said on Twitter.

“Before recommending a product for emergency use, we must evaluate it thoroughly to make sure it is safe and effective.”

The WHO was expecting “one additional piece of information from the company today”, it added, without specifying.

Bharat Biotech, which has struggled to meet production timelines for Covaxin, had no immediate comment.

WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said on Sunday its technical advisory group would meet on Oct. 26 to consider the listing for Covaxin. She said the WHO’s goal was to “have a broad portfolio of vaccines approved for emergency use & to expand access to populations everywhere”.

India is the world’s biggest producer of vaccines, with a capacity to make more than 3 billion COVID shots a year, mainly the AstraZeneca one.


Source: Reuters
-Agencies

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

Trump Tariff: Exports volume will reduce but real challenge is rates of Sri Lanka's competitors – expert (English)

Trump Tariff: Exports volume will reduce but real challenge is rates of Sri Lanka's competitors – expert (English)

Sri Lanka govt not considering retaliatory measures over Trump's tariff - Presidential Advisor (English)

Sri Lanka's opposition reacts to Trump's announcement on 30% trade tariff (English)

Ceylon Chamber urges continued engagement to secure further US tariff reduction (English)

Trump slashes tariff rate on Sri Lanka to 30% from 44% - But govt, private sector seeks further reduction

LIVE🔴Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Lunch Time News Bulletin 12.00 pm

Sri Lanka gradually moving toward 5% inflation in coming quarters – CBSL Governor (English)