WHO approval for Covaxin next week?

New Delhi: The final decision on WHO approval for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin may be only a week away.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a series of tweets announced that experts will meet next week to take a final decision on the question of granting emergency use listing (EUL) to the fully made in India vaccine.

The UN Health body tweeted saying, “WHO & an independent group of experts are scheduled to meet next week to carry out the risk/benefit assessment and come to a final decision whether to grant Emergency Use Listing to Covaxin.”

The emergency use listing is a thorough exercise by WHo and the technical advisory group of independent experts to determine the quality, safety, and effectiveness of a manufactured product for medical use.

WHO’s approval for Covaxin could greatly improve the reception of the India-made vaccine. It would also make Covaxin eligible for use in low and middle-income countries under the COVAX facility. Many countries have denied entry to people vaccinated with Covaxin due to the non-acceptance of WHO.

Another tweet confirmed that Bharat Biotech, maker of Covaxin, has submitted all necessary documents.

“Covaxin manufacturer, Bharat Biotech, has been submitting data to WHO on a rolling basis & submitted additional info at WHO’s request on 27 September. WHO experts are currently reviewing this info & if it addresses all questions raised, WHO assessment will be finalized next week,” the tweet said.

The Indian regulator has approved six coronavirus vaccines for emergency use in India. So far, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield has been the most widely administered vaccine. In February this year, WHO granted EUL for Covishield.