The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this month granted Covaxin an Emergency Use Listing (EUL). Covaxin which was developed by Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech based in Hyderabad, will be recognised worldwide and Indians injected with this ‘made in India’ vaccine no longer need to self-quarantine and can travel abroad without any restrictions.
According to WHO, all age groups (18+) are eligible to get vaccinated over two doses Spaced four weeks apart. But as of now no recommendation has been made to use it on children, as well as available data for use on pregnant Women is insufficient to access safety or efficacy.
The global health body mentioned “The Technical Advisory Group (an Independent panel that provides the WHO with Vaccine recommendations) has determined Covaxin meets standards for protection against Covid-19 . The benefit of the vaccine far outweighs risks( and) the vaccine can be used”, NDTV news reported.
The WHO has confirmed that two doses of Covaxin is nearly 78% effective against Covid-19. The phase 3 trial found the vaccine “induces a robust antibody response” without severe vaccine related adverse events or deaths reported among the trial participants, The Lancet mentioned. As per the research, the vaccine seems to be 65.2 percent effective against the Delta variant of the coronavirus, but it is yet to be confirmed.
So far 96 countries have agreements with India for mutual recognition of vaccination certificates. As per the external affairs ministry, these countries fall under the “Category A” list.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said “the countries that either acknowledge WHO- approved vaccines and those that accept our vaccines are on that list of Category A”.
US, UK, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Netherlands, France, Germany and Russia are included in the Category A list. Citizens belonging to these countries who are fully vaccinated are exempted from quarantine on entering India.
Though Covaxin has been approved by WHO and accepted by various countries, many Indians who are willing to travel to countries such as Italy, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Denmark are waiting for government intervention to get mutual recognition of vaccine certificates in more countries.
In the upcoming days more countries are expected to recognise our vaccines. And it could be challenging for the pharmaceutical company to meet the upcoming demands.
