The World Health Organisation (WHO) will meet on Tuesday to discuss the long-awaited fate of India’s first homemade vaccine.
Covaxin has been used in India since its approval for emergency use in January. It accounts for about 11 per cent of total shots administered in the country.
Its manufacturer, Bharat Biotech, first submitted an expression of interest in applying to the WHO for emergency use in April.
So why has it taken so long for the organisation to consider the application?
The National explains.
Why the delay?
The WHO defended the long wait recently, saying it cannot cut corners when considering applications.
It said it was seeking one additional piece of information from Bharat Biotech, which it expected to receive imminently.
“We are aware that many people are waiting for WHO’s recommendation for Covaxin to be included in the #COVID19 Emergency Use Listing, but we cannot cut corners — before recommending a product for emergency use, we must evaluate it thoroughly to make sure it is safe and effective,” the WHO said in a series of tweets last week.
“Bharat Biotech — the manufacturer of Covaxin — has been submitting data to WHO on a rolling basis and WHO experts have reviewed these data.
“WHO is expecting one additional piece of information from the company today.
"When the information provided addresses all questions raised, WHO and the Technical Advisory Group will complete the assessment and come to a final recommendation whether to grant EUL to the vaccine,” it added.
It is not known what data was missing.
Where else has the vaccine been approved, aside from India?
The vaccine has been approved in eight other countries: Guyana, Iran, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Paraguay, Philippines and Zimbabwe.
An application for emergency use was rejected by the US Food and Drug Administration for Covaxin in June due to the submission of incomplete trial data.
What will change with WHO approval for emergency use?
Travel will become a lot easier for those who have had the shot.
Because most countries require travellers to be vaccinated, and they generally only recognise vaccines approved by themselves or the WHO, options for those inoculated with the Covaxin jab are extremely limited.
WHO approval will mean the vaccine will be recognised in more countries.
Approval would also greatly expand the number of vaccines available to Covax, which aims to provide equitable access to vaccines for poor nations.
The UN and the WHO recently launched a plan to fully vaccinate 40 per cent of the world’s population against Covid-19 by the end of the year and 70 per cent by the middle of 2022.
Last week, it emerged India had delayed committing supplies to Covax after WHO said it would not cut corners in approving the vaccine.
The manufacturer halted exports of the vaccine in April as the delta variant took hold but resumed them this month.
How effective is it?
It was found to be 81 per cent effective in phase 3 trials but is slightly less against delta, at 65 per cent.
The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl
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Scorers
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Man of the Match
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
