The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday announced it has granted emergency approval to the India-manufactured coronavirus vaccine Covovax.
The jab, produced by Serum Institute of India under licence from the US-based Novavax, will now be distributed as part of global vaccine-sharing system Covax, "giving a much-needed boost to ongoing efforts to vaccinate more people in lower-income countries", WHO said in a statement.
"Even with new variants emerging, vaccines remain one of the most effective tools to protect people against serious illness and death from SARS-COV-2," said Mariangela Simao, the WHO's access to vaccines chief.
"This listing aims to increase access particularly in lower-income countries, 41 of which have still not been able to vaccinate 10 percent of their populations, while 98 countries have not reached 40 percent," she said.
Covovax requires two doses and is stable at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius refrigerated temperatures.
Covid mRNA Vaccines Contributing To Deaths, Doctors Call For Suspension Here Is All You Need To Know About The Mysterious "Disease X" Outbreak: Origin, Cure, Prevention, And Symptoms Measles Prevention Checklist For Parents: Everything You Should Know Pakistan Tries To Arm-Twist China Over Gwadar Port. The Plan Backfires. "Human Error" Caused Chopper Crash That Killed CDS Bipin Rawat: Panel Report Video: Rahul Gandhi Approaches BJP MP Who Fell During Protest, This Happens Indian Navy's New Missile Warship INS Tushil Sets Sail From Russia To India Remittances To India As Much As Pak, Bangladesh Budgets Combined: 5 Facts France Mass Rape: Who Received The Longest Prison Terms? Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.