WHO May Not Give Approval For Covaxin Soon?

The World Health Organisation has once again delayed the emergency use authorization of Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. According to the reports, WHO has sent more technical queries to the pharmaceutical company despite Bharat Biotech claims that it has submitted all the data that is required.

Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State in the Health Ministry had said that "There is a procedure of submitting the documents for approval. WHO's emergency use authorization to Covaxin is expected soon."

What is the efficacy of Covaxin:

In the phase III trials, Covaxin demonstrated efficacy of 77.8%. It is said that WHO has no problem with the vaccine but it has asked the company about some queries related to the Covaxin shot.

Earlier, Dr. Krishna Ella, chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech, said in a statement, "The company submitted all the necessary documents on July 9th. The review process has now commenced with the expectation that we will receive EUL from WHO as soon as possible.” 

The government of India used Covaxin and Covishield in its massive nationwide inoculation drive launched in January this year. Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute of India is the only vaccine on the WHO list now.