In what could be the good news for those who have taken Covaxin shot, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is likely to give nod to India-made Covid-19 vaccine in this week, according to sources. In yet another good news, cumulative jabs administered in the country crossed 74 crore on Sunday.
The Union Health Ministry said all adult people in Sikkim, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Ladakh and Lakshadweep have received at least one dose of Covid vaccine.
Over 52 lakh vaccine doses were administered on Sunday, according to data from the CoWIN portal.
“Congratulations to these States and Union Territories for administering the first Covid-19 vaccine dose to 100 per cent of the adult population. Special appreciation for the health workers in these regions for their diligence and commitment, the office of Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted.
Along with the tweet, the office of the Union Health Minister also put up a chart which stated that Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (6.26 lakh doses), Goa (11.83 lakh doses), Himachal Pradesh (55.74 lakh doses), Ladakh (1.97 lakh doses), Lakshadweep (53,499 doses), and Sikkim (5.10 lakh doses) are the States and UTs with 100 per cent eligible population vaccinated with the first dose of the vaccine.
Regarding the proposed approval to the indigenous vaccine Covaxin which is manufactured by Hyderabad-based manufacturer Bharat Biotech, sources said that an emergency approval from the WHO will allow Bharat Biotech to export Covaxin and also ease international travel of people who have received this vaccine.
Covaxin is one of the three vaccines that is being administered in the country. The drug regulator in the country has given Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to Moderna and Johnson and Johnson.
WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) is a prerequisite for COVAX Facility vaccine supply to other countries. The EUL assesses the quality, safety, and efficacy of covid-19 vaccines, as well as risk management plans and programmatic suitability, such as cold chain requirements.
So far, the WHO has given EUL to six vaccines. Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech chairman and managing director Krishna Ella said in a statement, adding the company is exploring opportunities with its international partners who have expertise in commercial-scale manufacturing of inactivated viral vaccines.
“We want to ensure that Bharat Biotech can ably meet the demand for COVAXIN such that individuals across the country, and the globe, have access to the vaccine.