Covax seeks faster WHO approval for Covaxin
The Covax group for international vaccine-sharing has asked the World Health Organization to expedite the approval for Bharat Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin. WHO’s approval is a prerequisite for inclusion of a Covid-19 vaccine in the Covax global initiative.
In a meeting held on Friday, Covax facility experts from India and other countries recommended approval for the India-developed Covaxin and Russia’s Sputnik V, so as to expand the basket of vaccines that can be used for distribution under the initiative.
“So far, the WHO has only given approval to vaccines from Europe, North America. The basket of vaccines will only expand if the vaccines from other countries will also be given approval,” said a senior government official.
The approval of Covaxin is pending at the WHO. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech had in April submitted an expression of interest to the WHO for the emergency use listing (EUL) of its vaccine. The health agency has since sought additional details from the company.
According to the government official, Bharat Biotech is expected to submit a final dossier soon.
