- The first biologic against Covid-19 to be approved by the WHO was the one designed by Pfizer.
- Thanks to massive immunization campaigns, millions of deaths have been prevented.
- Until now, one of the main questions is why the Sputnik V immunization developed by the Russian government has not been endorsed.
For more than two years, one of the most serious health emergencies of the modern era has been experienced. The problem remains active but the pharmaceutical industry has played a fundamental role in offering alternatives and thus reducing risks. The most notorious case is the development of vaccines against Covid-19 and although there is a wide variety, not all have been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the official registry, 586 million cases have been registered worldwide. While this new disease has been responsible for 6.42 million deaths and the figure continues to rise.
Mass vaccination, key to preventing fatal cases worldwide
In this regard, the combination of current technology and previous research on the coronavirus family made it possible to develop an immunization against the disease that has caused the most serious pandemic in the last 100 years. While now there is not only one but there are more than 20 options available.
So far all those who have completed the stage of clinical trials have shown correct operation. In what they vary is in the final efficacy although all help to avoid serious illness pictures that can lead to the death of the patient. The problem is that not all have been endorsed internationally.
With the above in mind, the WHO has the power to review all proposed projects to authorize their emergency use. Although pharmaceutical companies are not required to register their vaccines with the highest authority, it is a recommended process.
The inclusion in the list of Use in emergencies of the WHO allows evaluating the quality, safety and efficacy of vaccines against Covid-19. It is also a prerequisite for the supply of immunizations through the COVAX Mechanism. It also allows countries to speed up their own regulatory approval to import and manage biologics.
In that vein, the first to obtain this recognition was that of Pfizer at the end of 2020. In addition, it was also the first to be applied in the world. The mass immunization campaign began in the United Kingdom and later spread to more than a hundred nations.
What happened to Sputnik V?
Until now there are 11 options that have achieved this approval. Another benefit is that all the people who have received any of these alternatives can move between countries more easily.
Now, the main question that has not yet been answered is about the refusal to endorse the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Russian government. Regarding this situation, the WHO has mentioned on several occasions that it only authorizes the options that have presented their complete documentation and show correct operation. By this he means that their efficacy is greater than 50 percent and they do not cause serious side effects among those who are inoculated.
For now, we share with you a graph prepared by the editorial team of salutary with the 11 unique vaccines against Covid-19 that have been approved by the WHO.