In an encouraging development for Indian travellers, Australia on Monday decided to allow the entry of those administered the Covaxin vaccine. This announcement came as Australia eased restrictions on international travel after more than 18 months due to the ongoing corona pandemic.
The crucial announcement made by the Australian Government said, “Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India) and BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China) vaccines would be ‘recognised’ for the purpose of establishing a traveller’s vaccination status.”
Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell AO said here on Monday, “The Therapeutic Goods Administration determined that Covaxin (manufactured by BharatBiotech) vaccine would be ‘recognised’ for the purpose of establishing a traveller’s vaccination status.”
He also tweeted that “importantly, recognition of Covaxin, along with the previously announced recognition of Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca, India) means many citizens, as well as other countries, will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia.”
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia’s regulatory authority for therapeutic goods, said it has obtained additional information demonstrating that these vaccines provide protection and potentially reduce the likelihood that an incoming traveler would transmit Covid-19 infection to others while in Australia or become acutely unwell due to Covid-19.
The TGA determined that Covaxin and BBIBP-CorV vaccines would be “recognised” for the purpose of establishing a traveller’s vaccination status.
The Australian Government announcement also said, “This recognition means many citizens of China and India, as well as other countries in our region where these vaccines have been widely deployed, will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia. This will have significant impacts on the return of international students, and the travel of skilled and unskilled workers to Australia.”