What compelled the WHO to proclaim suspension of Covaxin?

Recently, WHO proclaimed and passed its statements on the suspension of Covaxin. Vaccine distributors have been on the list of verifications and scrutinizations for a while now. However, recently the WHO has passed its verdict on one of the popularly manufactured COVID-19 vaccines that are being manufactured and distributed in India.

WHO and Suspension of Covaxin

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that it has suspended the supply of United Nations (UN) agencies of the COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin. Covaxin is produced by India’s Bharat Biotech. The WHO backed its verdict so as to allow the manufacturer to upgrade facilities and address deficiencies found during an inspection.

After its verdict on the suspension of Covaxin, the WHO asked several countries that have received the vaccine to take appropriate actions. According to its statement on the suspension of Covaxin, WHO did not specify what the appropriate actions are supposed to be.

The WHO said the vaccine is effective and no safety concerns exist, but the suspension of production for export will result in the interruption of the Covaxin supply. It said the suspension is in response to the outcomes of the WHO post-emergency use listing (EUL) inspection conducted from March 14 to 22, and the vaccine maker has indicated its commitment to suspend production of Covaxin for export.

Slowed Covaxin Productions

When asked regarding the WHO’s verdict on Covaxin suspension, the manufacturer Bharat Biotech did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside business hours. Recently, the Indian vaccine manufacturer commented that it was slowing down the production of Covaxin since demands for the vaccine were dropping down.

In addition to the downgrade of the supply-demand, the manufacturer also said that it noticed a fall in infections and wider immunization coverage in the country. The WHO said that the company has “committed to complying by addressing the GMP deficiencies and is developing a corrective and preventive action plan, for submission to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)and WHO”.