The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said that it was aware
that many people were waiting for its approval for Bharat Biotech’s Covid
vaccine Covaxin to be included in the Emergency Use Listing (EUL). WHO in a
series of tweets said that it cannot cut corners and before recommending a
product for emergency use they want to evaluate it thoroughly to make sure that
it is safe and effective.

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Bharat Biotech has consistently been submitting data to WHO and its experts have reviewed the data. The health agency said that they are expecting one additional piece of information from the company.

The WHO statement further said that the timeframe for the EUL procedure
depends on how quickly a company producing the vaccine can provide the data
required for evaluation of the vaccine’s quality, safety, efficacy, and
suitability for low and middle-income countries.

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When all questions raised by WHO will be addressed, the Technical
Advisory Group will complete the assessment and give a final recommendation on
whether to grant Emergency Use Listing to the vaccine.

WHO’s chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan has informed that the global
health agency’s technical advisory group will meet on October 26 to consider
the emergency use listing of Covaxin.

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Bharat Biotech had submitted EOI (Expression of Interest) to the WHO on
April 19 for its vaccine.

Swaminathan in a tweet said WHO has been working closely with Bharat
Biotech to complete the dossier. Our goal is to have a broad portfolio of
vaccines approved for emergency use and to expand access to populations
everywhere.

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WHO approval is an important step in Covaxin being accepted by foreign
governments. EUL is important to remove uncertainty around overseas travel by
Indians inoculated with this vaccine. EUL is also mandatory for a vaccine to be
supplied through COVAX.