The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday granted emergency use listing (EUL) to India’s indigenous Covid19 vaccine Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech.
The news has been confirmed by WHo in a tweet.
“Squared new WHO has granted emergency use listing (EUL) to #COVAXIN® (developed by Bharat Biotech), adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of #COVID19,” WHO tweeted.
? WHO has granted emergency use listing (EUL) to #COVAXIN® (developed by Bharat Biotech), adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/dp2A1knGtT
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 3, 2021
In another tweet, WHO said: “WHO’s EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of #COVID19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for #COVAX vaccine supply.”
Also read: Australia recognises Covid19 vaccine Covaxin for travel
“It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines,” it added.
The Technical Advisory Group for Emergency Use Listing (TAG-EUL) is an independent advisory group that provides a recommendation to WHO whether an unlicensed vaccine can be recommended for emergency use under the EUL procedure, and if so, under what conditions.
Also read: Covid19 vaccine: Covaxin gets emergency use approval for children aged 2-18 years
The TAG-EUL shall have the following functions:
1) To review the assessment reports prepared by the WHO Product Evaluation Group (PEG) as part of the EUL assessment process, including the initial evaluation and any updates based on additional information received by WHO. Additional information may be requested from WHO for consideration;
2) To conduct a risk-benefit assessment of these Covid-19 vaccines’ potential use in response to the Covid-19 pandemic;
3) To provide a recommendation to WHO if the assessed vaccine should be listed for emergency use under the EUL procedure, and under what conditions;
4) To advise on formulating conditions for the listing should the decision be positive. Conditions will include a detailed list of post-listing commitments from the manufacturer;
5) To consider any emergency program needs as applicable.
On Monday, Australia recognised Covaxin for the purpose of travel to the country as it eased restrictions on international travel.
A media release of the Australian government said: “Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India) and BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China) vaccines would be ‘recognised’ for the purpose of establishing a traveller’s vaccination status.”
“This recognition is for travellers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin, and those 18 to 60 who have been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV,” it added.
“This recognition means many citizens of China and India, as well as other countries in our region where these vaccines have been widely deployed, will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia.”
“This will have significant impacts on the return of international students, and the travel of skilled and unskilled workers to Australia,” the media release further added.