• November 3, 2021

WHO grants approval for emergency use to Covaxin: Will facilitate travel for Indians

NEW DELHI Nov 3: The World Health Organization has granted Covaxin an emergency use listing, or EUL, which means the ‘made-in-India’ vaccine will finally be recognised by other countries and Indians who received the shot need not self-quarantine or face restrictions when travelling abroad.

As per reports, Covaxin has demonstrated 77.8 percent effectiveness against symptomatic Covid-19 and 65.2 percent protection against the new Delta variant. From international travel ease to the export of the indigenous vaccine, India is likely to benefit substantially from WHO’s approval.

From international travel ease to the export of the indigenous vaccine, India as a country is likely to benefit a lot from WHO’s approval of its manufactured vaccine.

An emergency use approval will also encourage countries to import Covaxin, facilitate its manufacturing abroad and ease travel for those vaccinated with it. The emergency listing will also mean that Covaxin can be used to Covax, the global vaccine alliance, later to vaccinate people in many developing countries.

Hungary and Paraguay had earlier approached New Delhi about exporting 1 million doses of Covaxin, with the first offering access to the EU.

Decisions on exports are commercial in nature and must be made by Bharat Biotech. Bharat Biotech stated in February that it has reached a deal with Ocugen Inc, allowing the US-based biopharmaceutical company to co-develop, supply, and commercialize the Indian vaccine maker’s Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin in the US market.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said the WHO”s decision to grant emergency use approval to Bharat Biotech”s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin facilitates travel for many Indian citizens and contributes to vaccine equity.

“Welcome @WHO’s decision to grant Emergency Use Listing to #COVAXIN. It facilitates travel for many Indian citizens and contributes to vaccine equity. Also a global recognition to PM @narendramodi’s vision of an #AtmanirbharBharat. A Happier Diwali,” Mr Jaishankar tweeted.