The WHO has responded to the question of Bharat Biotech’s non-approval of COVAXIN and the Chinese vaccine being approved even on incomplete data. Responding to the question, WHO said that WHO’s process of approving any vaccine is completely transparent. WHO is constantly in touch with Bharat Biotech and helping them to collect data.
Vaccine approval process is transparent
Talking to the media, Dr Mariangela Simaón, Assistant Director General, Drug Access, Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals of WHO said that the entire process of approving our vaccine is transparent. Every week, the WHO keeps updating the ongoing evaluation of vaccine approval on its website.
Vaccine companies’ plants are also inspected
He said that there is no secret in the WHO’s process of approving the vaccine. While approving the vaccine, we do not see which country has made the vaccine. After submitting the data of the vaccine company, the experts of WHO examine it and sometimes the experts of WHO also inspect the place where the vaccine is being made. But we did not inspect Bharat Biotech’s plant.
Bharat Biotech is collecting data
Simaon said that Bharat Biotech is rapidly submitting data of COVAXIN to WHO. Bharat Biotech last submitted COVAXIN data to WHO on 18 October. It was investigated by the External Scientists Group (TAG) of WHO. These scientists are from 6 different countries. His job was to test the data submitted by Bharat Biotech.
The Chinese vaccines that have been approved also had to follow this process completely. TAG scientists have the right to seek additional clarification from the vaccine manufacturer. The same thing happened with COVAXIN on Tuesday. They have been asked to submit additional clarifications by next Tuesday. WHO is constantly in talks with Bharat Biotech.
WHO has confidence in Indian vaccine
He said that the WHO had also tested the vaccine of another Indian vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute earlier this year and it took only 30 days.
As for China’s vaccine, they also followed this entire process and where 1 Chinese vaccine was approved 1 month after the TAG meeting, the second Chinese vaccine was approved 6 weeks after the TAG meeting.
WHO has full faith in India and Indian vaccine manufacturers because India makes the largest number of vaccines in the whole world. He said that TAG can approve COVAXIN by next week.
WHO is rapidly approving the vaccine
Dr Bruce Elward, Senior Advisor to the Director General of WHO, said that our job is to save as many people as possible with the help of vaccine. Under the leadership of the Director General of WHO, we are working rapidly to approve the vaccine. But how long it will take for the vaccine to be approved, it will be 99% dependent on the vaccine manufacturer, at what speed they are collecting all the data.
Some countries have made WHO approved vaccine mandatory
At the same time, on the question of News, WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said that, people are getting worried about the vaccine because they want the WHO to approve the vaccine they have got. Or get the approval of global countries. Because most countries of the world have made WHO approved vaccine mandatory for people coming to their country. Although the WHO says that the countries of the world should not keep this rule of vaccine for the people visiting their country..