WHO expects additional information from Bharat Biotech before recommending Covaxin, says 'Cannot cut corners'

By Team Newsable | First Published Oct 18, 2021, 7:34 PM IST

Bharat Biotech has been submitting data to WHO on a rolling basis and WHO experts have reviewed these data.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said that it expects additional information from Indian vaccine maker Bharat Biotech before recommending its emergency-use listing as it cannot cut corners.

"We are aware that many people are waiting for WHO's recommendation for (Bharat Biotech's) Covaxin to be included in the #Covid-19 Emergency Use Listing, but we cannot cut corners," WHO said on Twitter.

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“Before recommending a product for emergency use, we must evaluate it thoroughly to make sure it is safe and effective," it said.

We are aware that many people are waiting for WHO’s recommendation for Covaxin to be included in the Emergency Use Listing, but we cannot cut corners - before recommending a product for emergency use, we must evaluate it thoroughly to make sure it is safe and effective. pic.twitter.com/GDx8GAc1KU

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO)

Bharat Biotech has been submitting data to WHO on a rolling basis and WHO experts have reviewed these data.

The WHO said the timeframe for the WHO Emergency Use Listing procedure is dependent on how quickly a company producing the vaccine is able to provide the data required for it to evaluate the vaccine’s quality, safety, efficacy and its suitability for low and middle-income countries.

"When the information provided addresses all questions raised, WHO and the Technical Advisory Group will complete the assessment and come to a final recommendation whether to grant Emergency Use Listing to the vaccine," it further said.

The timeframe for the WHO Emergency Use Listing procedure is dependent on how quickly a company producing the vaccine is able to provide the data required for WHO to evaluate the vaccine’s quality, safety, efficacy and its suitability for low- and middle-income countries. https://t.co/kfaNI05KIw

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO)

WHO's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan has informed that global health agency's technical advisory group will meet on October 26 to consider the emergency use listing of Covaxin.

"@WHO has been working closely with @BharatBiotech to complete the dossier. Our goal is to have a broad portfolio of vaccines approved for emergency use and to expand access to populations everywhere," she said in the tweet.

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