This will enable travelers to travel to the country to be fully vaccinated
The Government of Australia has recognized Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
This accreditation from the Department of Health’s Medical Goods Administration (TGA) will enable travelers to travel to the country to be fully vaccinated with Covaxin.
With Monday’s announcement, Australia has become the first major economy to recognize both India-made vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin.
A TGA announcement states that the accreditation is for passengers aged 12 years and above.
“In recent weeks, the TGA has received additional information showing that these vaccines provide protection and potentially reduce the likelihood that an arriving traveler will transmit COVID to other people while in Australia. Will transmit 19 infection or become acutely unwell due to COVID-19,” the announcement announced. It added that relevant information regarding the vaccine was provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and vaccine sponsors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the delay in approving Covaxin by the WHO at the recently concluded G20 summit in Rome. India said the WHO accreditation would help Indian manufacturers export vaccines across the world.
The declaration states that anyone who receives two doses of a TGA-recognized vaccine “is considered to be fully immunized by at least 14 days apart from 7 days after the second dose”. Travelers receiving two doses of the same vaccine or two doses of two different vaccines (heterozygous) will also be considered fully immunized seven days after the second dose.
Chinese vaccine recognition
Monday’s announcement also included BBIBP-CorV manufactured by Sinopharm of China. The recognition of Indian and Chinese-made vaccines is a new step towards a gradual reopening of Australia to global tourist flows. This will also help Indian students to return to Australia. Foreign Minister Marise Payne committed during her latest visit to Delhi that Canberra will open in a phased manner and will be personally present at the airport to receive Indian students when they return to Australian campuses.
Australia stopped receiving incoming tourists and passengers following the outbreak of COVID-19, even though it operated flights evacuating citizens from partner countries such as India.
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