'Bharat Biotech must address WHO's Covaxin suspension to avoid EUL cancellation'

Weeks after WHO suspended the supply of Covaxin through UN procurement agencies the MEA suggested that vaccinemaker Bharat Biotech addresses the issue immediately to avoid cancellation of the world health bodys emergency use approval for the jabIn a communication to Dr V K Paul the convenor of a key empowered group on Covid vaccination on Tuesday the Ministry of External Affairs said many issues about vaccines and international travel by Indians have arisen and these must be addressed immediatelyThe issues pertain to mRNA based booster dose requirement by countries which in effect negates our effort to obtain recognition of Covishield and Covaxin suspension of supply of Covaxin by WHO acceptance of Corbevax and Covaxinbased vaccination certificates for children and international travel by Indians vaccinated with SputnikV Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla saidIn his communication Shringla said following an inspection of the Bharat Biotech premises on March 14 for Covaxins emergency use listing EUL WHO has announced the suspension of the vaccines supply through UN procurement agencies owing to deficiencies in good manufacturing practicesAlthough WHO maintained that the vaccine is effective and there is no safety concern it has recommended that countries using the vaccine take action as appropriateThis situation further complicates the acceptance of Covaxinbased Indian vaccination certificates by other countries especially by European Union member states such as Germany and France the communication saidIt stated that a proper response or policy from the government needs to be formulated on the issue and on further pursuance of recognition of Covaxin and Covaxinbased certificates by other countriesBharat Biotech must address the matter immediately through DCGI and WHO and avoid any situation that may lead to cancellation of WHOs EUL for Covaxin in future Shringla said requesting that a meeting of the empowered groupfive be convened to address the issuesIn the communication he also mentioned some authorities abroad such as in Hong Kong have begun demanding vaccination certificates for children and only accept mRNA based jabs for themIt is necessary to quickly initiate the process of recognition of the Corbevax vaccine and its certificate by other countries while Biological E continues to pursue WHOs EUL for it Shringla saidAs for Sputnik V the foreign secretary pointed out that those who have taken the vaccine are unable to international travel abroad as most countries do not accept Sputnik V which does not have WHOs emergency use listingThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever