MANILA – India’s coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine, Covaxin, cannot be administered in the country despite securing an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Bharat Biotech was only given a conditional EUA for its vaccine because it lacks documents such as a certificate of good manufacturing practice and a risk management plan.
“Hindi po kailangang mangamba o mag-agam agam ang ating mga kababayan dahil binigyan naman ng conditional na EUA ang Bharat Biotech,” Vergeire said on Wednesday.
She added, “Ngunit hindi pa rin po nila pwedeng ipasok ang kanilang mga bakuna dito sa ating bansa hanggang hindi po kumpleto ang kanilang requirements.”
Covaxin sought the EUA in January and FDA granted it on Tuesday.
Since there is no agreement deal with its manufacturer, India’s envoy Shmabhu Kumaran said they can supply the country with at least eight million doses./PN
