India’s own COVID vaccine, COVAXIN, seems to get legitimate approval and trust on the international level. Recently, the US has allowed Indians jabbed with COVAXIN doses to enter its territory. On one side, where WHO is indecisive if it should grant COVAXIN the EUL status or not, the US has eased its travel restrictions to make way for COVAXIN jabbed people. The restrictions have been eased up by the US Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
However, it is yet to be clear if the easing up in the travel restrictions is for people jabbed with both doses of COVAXIN or for those who have opted for Phase-3 trials. The US is not the first country that seems to have given its approval for COVAXIN jabs. Some other countries have already recognized COVAXIN as a legitimate contender to wipe out COVID-19. Those countries include the likes of Oman, the Philippines, Iran, Mexico, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and neighbouring Nepal.
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However, where different nations are continuously opening their arms to accept the COVAXIN, WHO seems to think otherwise. Recently, after a meeting of its technical advisory group in Geneva, WHO decided to withhold its decision on the future of COVAXIN till November 3rd. WHO is seeking more data and concrete evidence proving its effectiveness.
Ever since the COVAXIN has come up for public use, the manufacturers, Bharat Biotech, have been trying to get it approved by the WHO. But, they have not got to taste the success yet. However, in India, this vaccine has been widely used. The government of India has been using it to jab people along with Sputnik V of Russia, and Covishield.
It is to be seen what decision is going to be taken by the WHO on the approval of COVAXIN. Will it be accepted or not? Nothing can be said. But, one thing is certain, that more and more countries are realizing the effectiveness of COVAXIN.
