Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech, is now a globally authorised vaccine against Covid-19 that may be injected into adults over the age of 18. However, the World Health Organization has not yet approved it for pregnant women. This is a significant step forward in India’s fight against Covid-19.
Covaxin is an entirely ‘made in India’ vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research
Last month, the technical advisory panel requested further clarity from Bharat Biotech for its final risk assessment, which caused the emergency listing to be postponed. Now, Covaxin has been approved for emergency use.
The emergency use listing of Covaxin will allow Indians who have been vaccinated with Covaxin to enter several nations. Many countries have authorised Covaxin, including Guyana, Iran, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Paraguay, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Australia, Oman, Sri Lanka, Estonia, and Greece. Many nations were waiting for WHO’s judgement before extending clearance to Covaxin.
Aside from the relevance for Indians who have been immunised with this vaccine, the WHO recognition gives recognition to Indian scientists because Covaxin is the first vaccine created in India against Covid-19.
Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca-SK Bio/Serum Institute of India, Johnson 7 Johnson – Janssen, Moderna, and Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines have all been authorised for emergency use by the WHO.