We are primarily a travel-focused website. However, who knew many years ago, that travel and health would be so closely connected. As the world opens up, many countries have instituted that only fully-vaccinated people can travel into their countries.

From an Indian perspective, the Covishield vaccine, an alter-ego of the AstraZeneca / Oxford formula, manufactured under license in India, has been granted the World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Use Authorization long ago. This has enabled many countries to recognise those vaccinated with Covishield to be allowed into their countries, including countries such as the USA, which are just on the cusp of opening up their borders now.

This has been a major handicap for those vaccinated with Covaxin, however. The vaccine developed in India has been going back and forth with the WHO for its EUA, as many countries are working with the WHO-approved list for sanctioning travel at the moment.

The good news is, the approval has finally come through.

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1455869992965181441?s=20

Once this is put up on the WHO website as an approved vaccine, this will mean that many of those who are vaccinated with Covaxin will now be able to travel internationally. Till so far, only a handful of countries such as Australia and Sri Lanka had recognised this vaccine for travel to their country. Here on, the floodgates are open.

I will update a list of countries that will now be open to Covaxin vaccinated Indians once I get some more time.

Bottomline

Covaxin has been granted WHO approval for Emergency Use Authorisation. With this move, Covaxin has the legitimacy it needs to be exported to many countries from India, and also those vaccinated with Covaxin will be able to travel internationally.

Are you one of those affected by Covaxin-related travel restrictions so far?

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