Australia recognises Covaxin for travel

Australia’s drugs regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has cleared Covaxin for establishing a traveller's vaccination status.

In a statement on November 1, TGA said the recognition is for travellers aged 12 and above who have been vaccinated with Covaxin. Australia had recognised Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India, for travel from October 1.

With Covishield and Covaxin accounting for almost all vaccinations in India, the recognition will help people travelling to that country. “This will have a significant impact for return of international students, and travel of skilled and unskilled workers to Australia,” said TGA.

According to TGA, the recognition was based on additional information provided in confidence by the sponsor in support of efficacy and effectiveness of Covaxin.

The vaccine, however, is not registered in Australia and, hence, not available there. The other vaccines that have received similar recognition are China’s Coronavac (Sinovac), BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm), Convidecia (Cansino) and Russian’s Sputnik V (Gamaleya Research Institute).

Bharat Biotech is awaiting emergency use approval for Covaxin from the World Health Organization (WHO). The vaccine’s international uptake will get a further boost after the approval.