By Asmau Ahmad
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday issued an emergency use listing for Convidecia, a vaccine manufactured by CanSino Biologics, China, adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.
WHO’s EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines as a prerequisite for COVAX vaccine supply.
It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.
Convidecia is the 11th shot against the COVID-19 to get approval from WHO.
The vaccine was assessed under the WHO EUL procedure based on the review of data on quality, safety, efficacy, a risk management plan, programmatic suitability and a manufacturing site inspection conducted by WHO.
The Technical Advisory Group for Emergency Use Listing, convened by WHO and made up of regulatory experts from around the world, has determined that the vaccine meets WHO standards for protection against COVID-19 and that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks.
The WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation recommends the use of the vaccine as a single (0.5ml) dose, in all age groups 18 and above.
It was found to have 64 per cent efficacy against symptomatic disease and 92 per cent against severe COVID-19.
