WHO decision on Covaxin authorisation likely next month

NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation is likely to arrive at a decision on authorising Covaxin, Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine, by next month.

Dr. Mariangela Simao, a WHO assistant director-general for vaccines, says the UN health agency's assessment of the vaccine was "quite advanced" and officials hoped for a decision by mid-September.

Made-in-India Covaxin has been authorised for emergency use in India, and has also been exported to several countries. However it is yet to be authorized by any Western regulatory authorities.

Indian scientists say the vaccine is about 78% effective, but some data from advanced research is still awaited.

Ocugen, the US and Canada partner of Bharat Biotech for Covaxin, has said it has submitted all data to the Canadian government and it is under active review of the health regulator there. It has already approached Health Canada and submitted the Phase 3 clinical trial data of Covaxin seeking authorization to sell the jab in that country.

WHO authorisation for Covaxin will come as a relief for Indians inoculated with the vaccine and planning international travel.