WEEKS after WHO suspended the supply of Covaxin through UN procurement agencies, the MEA suggested that vaccine-maker Bharat Biotech addresses the issue immediately to avoid cancellation of the world health body’s emergency use approval for the jab in the future.

In a communication to Dr V K Paul, the convenor of a key empowered group on Covid vaccination, on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said many issues about vaccines and international travel by Indians have arisen and these must be addressed immediately.

“The issues pertain to m-RNA based booster dose requirement by countries which, in effect, negates our effort to obtain recognition of Covishield and Covaxin, suspension of supply of Covaxin by WHO, acceptance of Corbevax and Covaxin-based vaccination certificates for children and international travel by Indians vaccinated with Sputnik-V,” Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan

Shringla said.

In his communication, Shringla said following an inspection of the Bharat Biotech premises on March 14 for Covaxin’s emergency use listing (EUL), WHO has announced the suspension of the vaccine’s supply through UN procurement agencies owing to deficiencies in good manufacturing practices.

Although WHO maintained that the vaccine is effective and there is no safety concern, it has recommended that countries using the vaccine take action as

appropriate.

“This situation further complicates the acceptance of Covaxin-based Indian vaccination certificates by other countries, especially by European Union member states such as Germany and France,” the communication said.