WHO okays Indian COVID vaccine for emergency use

The World Health Organization announced on Friday that it issued an emergency use listing (EUL) for Covovax, a COVID-19 vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India. The shot is made under license from Novavax and is part of the COVAX facility portfolio.

The vaccine was inspected by WHO experts, who decided that it meets the organization’s standards, that its benefit “far outweighs any risks,” and that it can be used globally. “This listing aims to increase access particularly in lower-income countries, 41 of which have still not been able to vaccinate 10% of their populations, while 98 countries have not reached 40%,” said WHO Assistant-Director General Mariangela Simao. The WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) will issue recommendations on the usage of the shot in the coming days.