WHO identifies counterfeit versions of Covishield in India
New Delhi
18-August-2021
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it has identified counterfeit versions of India's primary Covid vaccine, Covishield, BBC reported.
The doses were seized by authorities in India and Africa between July and August, a WHO statement said.
It also said the vaccine's maker, the Serum Institute of India, confirmed that the doses were fake.
The WHO warned that fake vaccines "pose a serious risk to global public health".
It called for their removal from circulation.
Covishield is the Indian-made version of AstraZeneca's jab and is the most widely used vaccine in India with more than 486 million doses administered so far.
Serum had supplied millions of Covishield vaccines to countries in Asia, Africa and South America - as part of deals that were inked with various governments and the global Covax scheme for poorer countries.
India, which is the second worst-affected country in the world, aims to vaccinate all its people by the end of this year.
About 13 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated since the beginning of the drive in January.-IANS
More Headlines
Actress Tamannaah Bhatia Summoned by Maharashtra Cyber Police in Online Betting Scandal
Delhi Police Use Fire Brigade Crane To Bring Down TN Farmers From Mobile Tower
NRI Medical Professional Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar: The Richest Candidate in Lok Sabha Elections 2024
AI-Enabled SaaS Platform Accacia Raises $6.5 Million in Funding
Natch Snacks and Recircles Team Up for Sustainable Waste Management
Actress Tamannaah Bhatia Summoned by Maharashtra Cyber Police in Online Betting Scandal
Delhi Police Use Fire Brigade Crane To Bring Down TN Farmers From Mobile Tower
NRI Medical Professional Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar: The Richest Candidate in Lok Sabha Elections 2024
AI-Enabled SaaS Platform Accacia Raises $6.5 Million in Funding
Natch Snacks and Recircles Team Up for Sustainable Waste Management