With the EUL status accorded by the WHO, more countries are expected to add Covaxin to the list of recognised vaccines. But until then, many Indians with overseas travel plans are left in the lurch.
The World Health Organization said on emergency use listing (EUL) of Covaxin: "... We are right now at the last stage of the assessment by this external advisory group, and we hope to have a final recommendation to the WHO next week. I hope that is well understood.”
Its technical advisory group is reviewing data on Covaxin and 'if all is in place', a recommendation could come in within 24 hours or so, a WHO spokesperson has said
The World Health Organisation is very clear that we want all countries to recognise vaccines that have been given an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by the WHO advisory process.
Bharat Biotech, the producer of Covaxin has presented data to WHO on a rolling basis and submitted additional info at WHO’s request on September 27.
The submission to WHO is based on Novovax, SII’s previous regulatory submission to the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) in August 2021 seeking emergency use nod for its protein-based coronavirus vaccine Covovax in India.
Covaxin manufacturer Bharat Biotech International Limited submitted the data required for global emergency use approval to the World Health Organization on July 9.
Based on data collected from covid19.trackvaccines.org, less than 10 nations have officially approved the Covaxin while most countries only recognise Covishield as the required vaccine for passengers coming from India.