Covaxin takers will have to wait longer to travel abroad

NEW DELHI: Those who have taken Covaxin will have to wait longer to be able to travel abroad. The World Health Organisation’s technical advisory group (

TAG

) – that met Tuesday to deliberate on the emergency use listing (EUL) of Covaxin - has asked Bharat Biotech for “additional clarifications” to conduct a final

EUL

risk-benefit assessment for global use of the vaccine.


“The TAG expects to receive these clarifications from the manufacturer by the end of this week, and aims to reconvene for the final risk-benefit assessment on Wednesday, 3 November,” WHO told TOI.

The TAG for Emergency Use Listing is an independent advisory group that provides recommendations to WHO on whether a Covid 19 vaccine can be listed for emergency use under the EUL procedure.

While Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech had submitted Expression of Interest to the WHO on April 19 for the vaccine's EUL, the approval from the UN agency is long pending with many desperately waiting for the same. Vaccines listed under WHO’s EUL are mostly recognised by other countries for international travel. In the absence of EUL of Covaxin, people inoculated with it are either unable to travel abroard or are required to undergo quarantine in other countries.

WHO EUL is also usually a prerequisite for a vaccine that will be supplied through procurement partners such as

UNICEF

and PAHO, and for funding through Gavi for countries who are eligible.

The UN agency maintains that Bharat has been submitting data to WHO on a rolling basis and EUL is centred on issuing evidence-based policy recommendations for the best use of vaccines against Covid-19.

Over 11.8 crore doses of Covaxin have been administered in India till Wednesday.

In a separate statement after its ninth meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding the Covid-19, the agency urged its member countries to not require proof of vaccination against Covid -19 for international travel as the only pathway or condition permitting international travel given limited global access and inequitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

“State Parties should consider a risk-based approach to the facilitation of international travel by lifting or modifying measures, such as testing and/or quarantine requirements, when appropriate, in accordance with the WHO guidance,” it said.