Regional Workshop on conversion of emergency use authorization to full marketing authorization for pandemic vaccines

The regional workshop on Conversion of emergency use authorization to full marketing authorization for pandemic vaccines was conducted in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 21–23 November 2023 by the Immunization and Vaccines Unit at the WHO Regional Office in collaboration with WHO headquarters and TGA Australia.

The emergency use authorization (EUA) mechanism for COVID-19 vaccines was established by national regulatory authorities based on the emergency use listing by WHO (WHO-EUL) to facilitate the availability and use of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.

With COVID-19 no longer a declared emergency, it is important that EUA of such vaccines is converted to a full marketing authorization (MA) by addressing gaps and challenges. The regional workshop was organized to address issues such as limitations of EUA and challenges, and to enable Member States to grant long-term authorization to pandemic vaccines and introduce them in routine immunization.