The World Health Organisation (WHO) has suspended the supply of Covaxin, produced by Bharat Biotech, through United Nations agencies and recommended to countries that received the vaccine to take actions as appropriate.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) is today confirming the suspension of supply of Covaxin produced by Bharat (Biotech), through UN procurement agencies and recommending to countries that received the vaccine to take actions as appropriate,” the  WHO said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The WHO said that the suspension is in response to the outcomes of its post emergency use authorisation (EUL) inspection conducted between March 14–22, 2022.

The vaccine is effective and no safety concern exists, however, there will be an interruption of the supply of Covaxin due to the suspension of production for export, the WHO said.

“In the interim and as a precautionary measure, Bharat has indicated its commitment to suspend its production of Covaxin for export... The risk assessment to date does not indicate change in the risk-benefit ratio. The data, available to WHO, indicate the vaccine is effective and no safety concern exists. For continuation of vaccination with alternative sources of Covid 19 vaccines countries should refer to the respective SAGE recommendation,”the WHO added.

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