WHO to decide on authorizing Indian-made vaccine

GENEVA - A top vaccines official at the World Health Organization says the agency expects to make a decision next month on an emergency authorization for the Indian-made COVID-19 vaccine made by Bharat Biotech, a shot that has yet to be authorized by any Western regulatory authorities.

Dr. Mariangela Simao, a WHO assistant director-general for vaccines, says the U.N. health agency’s assessment of the Bharat Biotech vaccine was "quite advanced” and officials hoped for a decision by mid-September. Few studies have been published on the shot. Indian researchers have yet to share any advanced research about the vaccine, which has been authorized and used in India.