Covaxin gets WHO emergency approval
Covaxin, a completely indigenous anti-coronavirus vaccine, has got global recognition. Giving a Diwali gift to those taking the vaccine, the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the vaccine to be included in the Emergency Use List (EUL). After getting the recognition of WHO, the person taking the vaccine will no longer have to be quarantined in other countries.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya thanked WHO for recognizing Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO’s South East Asia also tweeted and congratulated India for this.
So far seven vaccines have been recognized
The WHO-approved Covaxin has become the world’s seventh such vaccine. Prior to this, emergency use of vaccines has been granted by WHO to three US companies (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson), UK’s AstraZeneca and two Chinese companies (Sinopharm and Sinovac). AstraZeneca’s vaccine is manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute company under the name Covishield.
It is recommended to use two doses at an interval of 28 days
The WHO, while tweeting the recognition of covaxin for emergency use, said that the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of selected experts from around the world has found Bharat Biotech’s covaxin safe to use and effective against corona. Not only this, WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (Sage) also analyzed the data of Covaxin and recommended its use for people above 18 years of age in the form of two doses at an interval of 28 days.
What did WHO say on the approval?
The WHO’s technical advisory group that approved Covaxin included many regulatory experts from around the world. After a review on their behalf, it was said that Covaxin meets WHO standards in protecting against coronavirus and its benefits far outweigh the small risks caused by it. Therefore this vaccine can be used all over the world.
