UPSC Articles
Covaxin gets WHO’s emergency use nod
Part of: Prelims and GS II – Health
Context India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, was granted Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is Covaxin?
- Covaxin is a whole virion-inactivated vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, developed in partnership with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
- It has been granted EUL for use in persons 18 years and above, over two doses spaced four weeks apart.
- It has been formulated to enable shipping and long-term storage at 2-8ºC.
- It is also formulated to adhere to a multi-dose vial policy, thereby reducing open vial wastage, saving money to procurement agencies and governments.
Key takeaways
- The EUL is a prerequisite for the COVAX initiative in vaccine supply, and allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.
- With validation from WHO, countries can now expedite their regulatory approval processes to import and administer Covaxin.
- UNICEF, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), GAVI COVAX facility, will be able to procure Covaxin for distribution to countries worldwide
- The move is expected to ease international travel for Indians who have opted for the vaccine
