WHO eyes inclusion of AstraZeneca in emergency use listing

MANILA – The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering to include AstraZeneca AZD1222 vaccine in its emergency use listing (EUL) as the Philippines is set to receive up to 9,290,400 indicative doses of it within the month from COVAX.

“I am aware that the FDA (Food and Drug

Administration) has granted EUA (emergency use authorization) for AstraZeneca as vaccine. But WHO still hasn’t granted an EUL for AstraZeneca,” WHO country representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said during an online media briefi ng.

Abeyasinghe noted that COVAX could only deliver the vaccines listed under the EUL of the WHO.

The EUL is a procedure done by the WHO to assess unlicensed vaccines during public health emergencies with the ultimate goal of expediting the availability of these products.

COVAX is a global initiative that ensures rapid and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines for all countries regardless of their income level.

The WHO is a member of the COVAX Facili t y.

“We are in the process of reviewing the vaccine portfolio. We believe that it will be completed within the next week or two. So, we are optimistic that the EUL status will be granted to AstraZeneca vaccine,” Abeyasinghe said.

On Sunday, COVAX Facility Managing Director Aurélia Nguyen said their office will distribute 5,500,800 to 9,290,400 indicative doses of AstraZeneca

AZD1222 vaccine to the Philippines for the first quarter of the year.

Apart from AstraZeneca, Abeyasinghe said the WHO is also reviewing Moderna’s portfolio for its vaccine to be included in the EUL.

He added the WHO might finish reviewing Sinovac’s vaccine in March. (PNA)