WHO Authorizes 2 New COVID-19 Treatments

The World Health Organization (WHO) authorized two new COVID-19 treatments on Friday amid the continued emergence of Omicron variant. 

WHO's experts recommended Baricitinib that used for corticosteroids to treat cases in critical conditions. The medicine showed positive impact in increasing the rates of survival and reducing the need for ventilators.

They also recommend synthetic antibody treatment Sotrovimab for cases with mild syptoms for people with high risk of hospotalization such as people with immunodeficiencies or chronic diseases.

The reasons for approving the two treatments are widening the medical methods including treatments and vaccines for competing against COVID-19.

Last December, WHO approved on Friday the Indian Covovax COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.

It was produced by the Serum Institute and licensed by Novavax. The vaccine targets people in lower and middle-income countries.

Dr. Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, said: “This listing aims to increase access particularly in lower-income countries, 41 of which have still not been able to vaccinate 10% of their populations, while 98 countries have not reached 40%.”

The vaccine is a two-dose one, and it needs to be refrigerated at 2 to 8°C and its technology is based on creating an engineered baculovirus that carries a gene for a modified SARS-COV-2 spike protein.

Covovax becomes the ninth approved COVID-19 vaccine by the WHO.

The previously eight approved COVID-19 vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, AstraZeneca’s vaccine that is manufactured in India, Covidshield, Sinopharm, Cavaxin, and Sinovac.

It is expected that the upcoming vaccine to be approved could be Sputnik V.