WHO identifies counterfeit versions of Covishield in India
Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Aug, 2021 08:25 PM
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.
Punjabi singer known for his melodious voice Diljaan Singh has passed away at 31. According to media reports his life came to an abrupt and tragic end in a road accident at Jandiala Guru on Monday.
Prerana not only protects women from commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking, but they also support children and help them get out of vulnerable situations.
The farmers union SKM has called for a Bharat Bandh on March 26, from 6 am to 6 pm. During this time all road transport, markets, and other public places will shut down across the country.
On Friday the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, called for massive state-wide restrictions to take effect Saturday calling for a complete shut down of educational institutions right until the end of the month.
