Australia will recognise Covaxin, apart from Covishield, allowing those vaccinated with them entry into the continent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his Australian counterpart and “dear friend” Scott Morrison for “recognition of India’s Covaxin”. “It is an important step forward in the post-Covid partnership between India and Australia,” he said.
While WHO emergency use listing for Covaxin is awaited, 16 countries have recognised it for travel purposes. Last week, the US Centres for Disease Control eased restrictions for Covaxin-vaccinated travellers by allowing trial participants to enter without having to quarantine.
Australia’s high commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell tweeted that the country’s drug regulator has “determined that Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech) vaccine would be ‘recognised’ for the purpose of establishing a traveller’s vaccination status. Importantly, recognition of Covaxin, along with the previously announced recognition of Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca), means many Indian citizens, as well as other countries, will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia.”
The Australian health ministry website says the “recognition is for travellers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin.” Those who have received two doses of Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration-approved or recognised vaccine at least 14 days apart are regarded as fully vaccinated from seven days after the second dose. This includes homologous (two doses of the same vaccine) and heterologous (two doses of two different vaccines) schedules.
