Australia approves Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN as WHO drags its feet

In a major boost and recognition for the indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine, Covixin and its maker Bharat Biotech on November 1, the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under the Department of Health recognised this made-in-India Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin to and gave a traveller’s vaccination status.

This news is also a very important foreign policy victory for the Modi government and could not have come at a better time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the G-20 summit where he met with leaders who nineteen nations plus India that control eighty five per cent of global GDP.

As the World Health Organisation (WHO), keeps dragging its feet, this recognition has been approved for anyone of age 12 and above who have been vaccinated with Covaxin.

In a statement, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell AO, said, “Australian Government recognises Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for the purpose of establishing a traveller’s vaccination status.”

In the statement issued by TGA, the Australian government also recognized BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China) for the purpose of travel for anyone between the ages of 18 and 60. The statement read, “Today, the TGA determined that Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India) and BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China) vaccines would be ‘recognized’ to establish a traveller’s vaccination status. This recognition is for travellers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin, and those 18 to 60 who have been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV.”

It further said that “potentially reduce the likelihood that an incoming traveller would transmit COVID-19 infection to others while in Australia or become acutely unwell due to COVID-19.” It added that the vaccine sponsor or WHO has provided the supporting information.

With the approval of Covaxin and Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca, India), citizens of India and other countries who have been vaccinated with these two vaccines can travel to Australia as the summer begins and the Australian government will hope to see a surge in tourism and also this decision will benefit students as well as skilled and unskilled workers.

WHO is still deliberating to give approval for Covaxin and has set November 3 as the date of the next meeting to decide.

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