In response to the results of the WHO post emergency use listing (EUL) inspection conducted between March 14 and 22, the vaccine maker has indicated its intention to suspend exports of Covaxin until further notice.
Covaxin, produced by India’s Bharat Biotech, was to be distributed by United Nations agencies on Saturday, but that supply was suspended so that the manufacturer could upgrade facilities and address deficiencies.
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According to the WHO statement, countries that have received the vaccine are encouraged to take appropriate action, but specific measures were not mentioned.
In addition, the WHO indicated that the vaccine is safe and effective, however, the suspension of production for export will result in a decrease in Covaxin’s availability.
Covaxin has indicated it intends to suspend export of its Covaxin vaccine following the findings from the WHO’s post emergency use listing inspection from March 14 to 22. Outside of business hours, Bharat Biotech did not respond to a comment request.
Vaccine producer Covaxin said Friday that it was reducing production of Covaxin due to a fall in demand and a wider coverage of immunisation across the country.
According to the WHO, the company has made a commitment to address the GMP deficiencies and to develop a corrective and preventive action plan to be presented to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and the WHO.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK