Tag: WHO

WHO has granted emergency use listing (EUL) to COVAXIN

November 3, 2021.Reading time 2 minutes.

World Health Organization:

WHO has granted emergency use listing (EUL) to COVAXIN® (developed by Bharat Biotech), adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of COVID19.

The Technical Advisory Group, convened by WHO and made up of regulatory experts from around the world, has determined that the Covaxin vaccine meets WHO standards for protection against COVID19, that the benefit of the vaccine far outweighs risks & the vaccine can be used

Covaxin vaccine was also reviewed by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), and recommended use of this vaccine in two doses, with a dose interval of four weeks, in all age groups 18 and above.

Available data on vaccination of pregnant women with the Covaxin vaccine are insufficient to assess vaccine safety or efficacy in pregnancy; studies in pregnant women are planned, including a pregnancy sub-study and a pregnancy registry.

Covaxin was found to have 78% efficacy against COVID19 of any severity, 14 or more days after the second dose, and is extremely suitable for low- and middle-income countries due to easy storage requirements.

Covaxin EUL expands the availability of, the most effective medical tools we have to end COVID19.

It was assessed under the WHO EUL procedure based on the review of data on quality, safety, efficacy, a risk management plan & suitability in low- & middle-income countries.

WHO’s EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for COVAX vaccine supply.

It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.

Looking forward to working with the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness & Response announced today: Dr Harsh Vardhan

September 3, 2020.Reading time 1 minute.

Dr Harsh Vardhan – Union Health Minister:

Today, I participated in the Virtual Information Session of WHO on WHA Resolution 73.1 which focused on the ‘Formation of an Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness & Response’ and received update on ACT Accelerator.

Looking forward to working with the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness & Response announced today.

The panel has been established pursuant to World Health Assembly resolution to review internationally coordinated response to Covid_19 by WHO

The mission of the Independent Panel is to provide an evidence-based path for the future, grounded in lessons of the present and the past to ensure countries and global institutions, including specifically WHO, effectively address health threats.

Present in today’s session were DG WHO, Dr Tedros, Director GB, Dr Timothy Armstrong, co-Chair President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf & Former PM, New Zeland Helen Clark, Sr. Advisor Dr Bruce Aylward & Chief Scientist WHO, Dr Soumya.

‘I feel privileged to take charge as Chairman of the World Health Organisation’s Executive Board. I assured the WHO EB that I will put myself to work … to build a heroic collective leadership’

May 22, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

Excerpts of Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan’s speech at the 147th session of the WHO Executive Board’s meeting, held virtually:

  • I feel privileged to take charge as Chairman of the World Health Organisation’s Executive Board at its 147th session held virtually.
  • I believe that health is central to economic performance and to enhancing human capabilities.
  • After assuming charge as Chairman of WHO Executive Board, I said my country & I are deeply moved to have been bestowed with this honour.
  • I also paid homage to those hundreds of thousands who have lost their lives due to COVIDー19
  • I said I’m privileged to also be the Health Minister of India, a country of 1.35 billion people. Led by a dynamic PM Mr Narendramodi Ji, we have devised an ambitious National Health Policy that aims at Universal Health for All.
  • We have to admit that the current COVID pandemic has demonstrated the vulnerability of humankind to exigencies, recognising that we have to strive to act with greater speed and predictability.
  • We need an aggressive roadmap to curtail deaths from diseases that can be eliminated.
  • We need a fresh roadmap to address global shortages of medicines and vaccines.
  • I would like to work with all of you on these goals and roadmaps.
  • There is always scope, as well as need, to catalyze further change.
  • I said in my address to the WHO Executive Board that it is this very fundamental belief which must remain our guiding principle always.
  • I said I’m well aware that I’m taking over as Chair of EB WHO at a time when world is facing a grave health threat from COVID19.
  • However, such situations demand a shared responsibility to act & a greater degree of ‘shared idealism’ of nations.
  • I assured the WHO EB that I will put myself to work…to realise the collective vision of our organisation .. to build the collective capacity of all our member nations and … to build a heroic collective leadership.
  • I appealed to WHO EB members to give a Standing Ovation to all those frontline health workers who are risking their lives for saving the rest of the world.
  • I also sought cooperation of member nations in my future endeavors at WHO.

Dr. Sangita Reddy

April 15, 2020.Reading time less than 1 minute.

This is not the Time!

As an individual with great regard for the USA, I appeal to @realDonaldTrump that this in not the time to down resources for @WHO . We understand your agony in the face of tragic loss of Lives. This is the time for unity & toogether in solidarity.