UK approves Covaxin, no self-isolation from Nov 22
Ninety-six countries have agreed to mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates with India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.
“The Government continues to be in communication with the rest of the world so that beneficiaries of the world’s largest Covid-19 vaccination programme are accepted and recognised, thereby easing travel for education, business and tourism purposes, “ Mandaviya said in a statement.
“At present, 96 countries have agreed to mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and also those who recognise Indian vaccination certificates of travellers fully vaccinated with Covishield/WHO approved/nationally approved Covid vaccines,” Mandaviya stated.
Meanwhile, a week after Australia permitted entry to those administered Covaxin vaccine, the UK Government on Tuesday said the Indian vaccine will be added to the list of approved Covid-19 vaccines for international travelers from November 22, meaning that those inoculated with the Bharat Biotech-manufactured shot will not have to self-isolate after arrival in England.
Covaxin has been given an okay in various countries till now. But despite approval for the jab, direct travel to some countries is not functional yet, as the Indian Government has extended the suspension on scheduled international passenger flights till November 30, 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Only countries that have air-bubble pacts with India offer direct flights to their location.
The encouraging development the UK approving Coviaxin came days after the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Use approved Covaxin, which is the second most used formulation in India. Covishield, the India-manufactured Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, was added to the UK’s approved list last month.
Announcing the forthcoming addition of Covaxin, British High Commissioner to New Delhi Alex Ellis said, “More good news for Indian travellers to the UK. From November 22 travellers fully vaccinated with a Covid vaccine recognised by the WHO for Emergency Use Listing, including Covaxin, will not have to self-isolate; so joining those fully vaccinated with Covishield.”
The changes will come into effect at 4 am on November 22.
Besides Covaxin, China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm, both on the WHO Emergency Use Listing, will be recognised by the UK Government as approved vaccines for inbound travel, benefitting fully vaccinated people from the United Arab Emirates (UAE ) and Malaysia. These fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to take a pre-departure test, day-8 test or self-isolate upon arrival.
“As we continue to recover from the pandemic and expand our recognition of international vaccines, today’s announcements mark the next step in our restart of international travel,” said UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
“The red list and quarantine system remain vital in protecting our borders and as we’ve said, we will not hesitate to take action by adding countries to the red list if necessary,” UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said.