WHO has not associated the term “Indian Variant” with B.1.617: Govt

New Delhi, May 12, 2021: Health Ministry has clarified that World Health Organisation (WHO) has not associated the term ‘Indian Variant,’ with the COVID variant.

“Several media reports have covered the news of World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying B.1.617 as variant of global concern. Some of these reports have termed the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus as an “Indian Variant”. These media reports are without any basis, and unfounded,” the health department stated.

“This is to clarify that WHO has not associated the term “Indian Variant” with the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus in its 32 page document. In fact, the word “Indian” has not been used in its report on the matter,” it added.