New Delhi: The UK government has announced that India’s Covaxin, the home-grown vaccine will be added to the list of approved Covid-19 vaccines for international travellers from November 22. This means that people who have been vaccinated by Bharat Biotech-manufactured vaccine shot will not have to isolate themselves on arriving in England.
The move came after Covaxin got its emergency use approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO) last week. Covaxin is the second-most used formulation in India. Besides, the United States, which has lifted its Covid-9+19 travel restrictions, will also approve Covaxin. All FDA and WHO-approved vaccines will be accepted by the US authorities.
Though Covaxin is doing fairly okay and has been accepted by various countries, direct travel to some countries is still not functional. This is because the Indian government suspended certain international passenger flights till November 30, 2021, amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, the countries that possess air-bubble pacts with India offer direct flights to their locations.
Here’s the list of countries where Covaxin is approved and direct flight is permitted:
United Kingdom
The country stated that it would recognise Covid-19 vaccines that are on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing including China’s Sinovac, Sinopharm, and Covaxin to the approved list of vaccines for international travellers. This will come in effect from November 22 and it will accept travellers from UAE, Malaysia, and India.
United States
The United States, which has lifted its Covid-9+19 travel restrictions, will also approve Covaxin. All FDA and WHO-approved vaccines will be accepted by the US authorities.
Switzerland
The country will approve Covaxin as a valid vaccine for international travellers from India.
Oman
Indians who have inoculated with Covaxin do not have to serve 14-days of isolation in the country. “All passengers from India who have received two doses of Covaxin at least 14 days before the estimated arrival date will now be able to travel to Oman without the requirement of quarantine,” the Indian embassy in Oman has said. Previously, Indians vaccinated with Covishield did not have to remain quarantined themselves.
Nepal
The Indians have to present a Covid-19 vaccine certificate and the last dose has to be administered 14 days before entering the country. The Covaxin shot has been added to its approved vaccine list.
Iran
The country allows Indians who have been immunised with Covaxin shots. If the RT-PCR test results are not available, the travellers have to quarantine themselves for 14 days.
Sri Lanka
Both Covaxin and Covishield vaccinated people from India are allowed entry to this country. Unvaccinated people have to stay isolated for 14 days.
Estonia
This was one of the first countries to recognise Covaxin in its approved list. Indian citizens vaccinated with Covaxin shots will be allowed into the country without being quarantined.
Zimbabwe
Both Covishield and Covaxin have been approved by the African nation. The Indian visitor must carry a negative RT-PCR report during their travel.
Guyana
The country has approved Covaxin for travel to the nation. Other vaccines approved by the country are AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Sinopharm, Sinovac, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna.
Paraguay
Apart from AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Pfizer, and Moderna, the country has approved Covaxin.
Here’s the list of countries where Covaxin is approved but the direct flight is not permitted:
Australia
The country has approved Covaxin, manufactured by Bharat Biotech. However, there is no direct flight from India due to Covid-19 implications. Travelling to Australia has layovers either in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Tokyo airports. These three countries have not approved Covaxin.
Philippines
Covaxin inoculated Indians are allowed to visit the Philippines. However, there is no direct flight from India to the country and the passengers have to avail of different routes.
Mexico
The country has approved Covaxin for emergency use. However, Mexico has not signed the air-bubble pact with India, yet.
Mauritius
Indians vaccinated with Covaxin can travel to the country. However, no direct flight from India is available at present.
Greece
People travelling to Greece have to show a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, a negative RT-PCR report of less than 72 hours, or a negative antigen test report of less than 48 hours. People not possessing any Covid-19 symptoms do not need to quarantine themselves. However, no direct flight from India is available. Passengers have to travel via European countries wherein Covaxin is not approved.
