Categories: Health

WHO approves India’s homegrown vaccine Covaxin for emergency use

<p>
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday approved Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, for emergency use which will now make it easier for Indians to travel abroad as many countries recognise only WHO cleared vaccines.</p>
<p>
"The Technical Advisory Group has determined that the Covaxin vaccine meets WHO standards for protection against COVID-19, that the benefit of the vaccine far outweighs risks and the vaccine can be used," WHO said in a tweet.</p>
<p>
Covaxin was also reviewed by WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, which recommended its use in two doses, with an interval of four weeks, in all age groups 18 and above.</p>
<p>
The approval will also pave the way for export of the vaccine to poor countries as it is affordable and does not require deep-freeze infrastructure for storage like the US-made Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. </p>
<p>
<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="http:// https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/zydus-cadila-s-india-made-dose-covid-vaccine-approved-for-use-by-expert-panel-109238.html">Zydus Cadila’s India-made 3-dose Covid vaccine approved for use by expert panel</a></p>
<p>
The WHO's advisory group was expected to make a decision on the shot last week, but asked for additional clarifications from Bharat Biotech before conducting a final risk-benefit assessment for the vaccine's global use.</p>
<p>
Covaxin is the seventh vaccine that has been approved by the WHO after two mRNA shots by Pfizer and Moderna, adenovirus vector vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson and China's inactivated vaccines from Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm.</p>
<p>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also mentioned the need to expeditiously clear the India-made vaccine for emergency use, in his speech at the G20 summit in Rome, as the delay was posing a hindrance. </p>
<p>
The approval comes as a major relief as it will now be accepted as a valid vaccine for millions of Indians who have received it and want to travel abroad. Earlier they had to go through cumbersome quarantine procedures despite being fully vaccinated.</p>
<p>
Oman and Australia, however, were among the countries that had already started recognising Covaxin as a valid vaccine for travellers.</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

LG Ladakh inaugurates 4th LG Horse Polo Cup, Ladakh’s first Polo Stadium in Dras

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra inaugurated the 4th LG Horse Polo Cup…

1 hour ago

Last set of disengagement between India, China concluded on October 21, says EAM Jaishankar

India and China concluded the last lot of disengagement on October 21 and the implementation…

3 hours ago

Pakistan: Baloch activist expresses outrage over Mastung bomb blast

Baloch "pro-independence" leader Allah Nazar Baloch has expressed outrage over the recent bomb blast near…

3 hours ago

“Buddhism shows world how to counter sectarianism”: President Droupadi Murmu at Asian Buddhist Summit

President Droupadi Murmu graced the first Asian Buddhist Summit, organised by the Ministry of Culture,…

5 hours ago

Pakistan: Teachers agitate over non-payment of salaries for eight months

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has failed to pay the salaries to teachers of non-formal girls'…

5 hours ago

“Whatever the verdict, our relationship with US will only grow”: EAM Jaishankr on US Presidential Elections

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a joint presser with his Australian Counterpart Penny Wong,…

7 hours ago