Editorial: Time to ramp up vaccine production

After the prolonged wait and conflicting signals, the World Health Organization’s approval for the indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, brings much-needed relief and reflects global acknowledgement of India’s scientific prowess and research credentials. More importantly, it paves the way for its widespread distribution around the world and brightens the chances for the company’s vaccine for children — for the age group 2-18 — although that will have to be appraised separately. The development also brings cheer for those waiting to travel abroad. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, which has developed the vaccine in coordination with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), should be justifiably proud of the development. The long wait, repeated data requests, wild speculations and even conspiracy theories involving global pharmaceutical giants had marred the approval process. Earlier, there was criticism that the Indian government had displayed undue haste in granting emergency use approval for the desi vaccine. With the WHO’s green signal, the company now needs to scale up production to help expand vaccination coverage. Covaxin becomes the seventh vaccine to get WHO recognition for emergency use listing. This would mean an end to the travel ban for those who had taken the homemade vaccine. Also, they are not required to go for quarantine upon arrival abroad. India gets a seat on the high table among the select few countries making and exporting Covid vaccines as the approval clears all the hurdles. To meet the imminent sharp rise in demand globally, the pharmaceutical major will need to boost production. The first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine was approved for use in India under emergency use authorisation in January this year. But in the absence of an Emergency Use License (EUL) by WHO, it was not considered valid by many countries.

Despite having earned a good reputation in the global market with a portfolio of 16 vaccines and exports to 123 countries, Bharat Biotech was caught in a controversy when the government granted emergency use approval without waiting for the third phase clinical trial data. This had led to experts raising questions over the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Moreover, the company could not meet the promised production schedules. A major chunk of India’s vaccine requirement is being met by the Serum Institute of India’s Covishield. Covaxin barely accounts for 11% of all doses that have been given in India till now. However, both opportunities and challenges beckon the company now. The WHO approval paves the way for Covaxin to be included on the COVAX platform that is used to distribute vaccines to low- and middle-income countries where very few Covid-19 vaccines are available now. COVAX is being operated by WHO along with a few other international agencies to ensure equitable and affordable distribution of vaccines. The recognition gives a boost to Covaxin’s use among the younger population. It was recently approved in India after successful trials.