Green Signal to India’s Covaxin by the UK Government!

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to grant Covaxin emergency use status was good news for the world, for India’s reputation as a vaccine provider, for Bharat Biotech’s economic success, and, if handled well, for India’s diplomatic clout throughout the world. But now, there is another great news! The UK government stated on Monday that from November 22, Covaxin will be added to its list of authorised vaccines for overseas travellers. Aside from the United Kingdom, countries such as the United States, Switzerland, Estonia, and others have given Indian travellers the green signal. Let’s throw some more light on countries giving a green signal to India’s Covaxin in this blog post!

Track all the COVID-19 approved vaccines HERE!

Green Signal to India’s Covaxin 

This means that persons who have been infected with the Covaxin produced by Bharat Biotech will not need to self-isolate once they arrive in the UK. As previously indicated, the UK government confirmed on Monday that from November 22, India’s homegrown vaccine Covaxin will be added to its list of approved jabs for overseas travellers. 

The decision was made in response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Use Listing for Covaxin, India’s second-most-used formulation. Covaxin will be approved in the United States, which dropped its Covid-19 travel limitations after 21 months. Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine made in India, was added to the UK’s authorised list last month. The fact that Covaxin has received approval from nations like the United Kingdom and the United States is a huge relief for Indian travellers and especially Indian students. 

British High Commissioner on Covaxin 

More good news for 🇮🇳 travellers to 🇬🇧👇
From 22 November travellers fully vaccinated with a #COVID19 vaccine recognised by @WHO for Emergency Use Listing, including Covaxin, will not have to self-isolate; so joining those fully vaccinated with Covishield.https://t.co/UyJsryBd0O https://t.co/mZhaqRgB35

— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) November 8, 2021

Relaxations by the UK Government

In addition to Covaxin, the UK government will add Sinovac and Sinopharm, both of which are on the WHO Emergency Use List, to its approved Covid vaccination list for inbound travellers. The UK government has also made it easier for all under-18s visiting England to travel. They will now be treated as fully vaccinated at the border and will not be subject to self-isolation, day-8 testing, or pre-departure testing. If they test positive, they will only be required to do one post-arrival test and a confirming free PCR test.

Read more about UK Eases Travel Restrictions for India

Covaxin Approving Nations

Covaxin has received approval in several countries thus far. However, despite the clearance of the vaccine, direct travel to some destinations is still not possible because the Indian government has extended the ban of scheduled international passenger flights until November 30, 2021, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Only nations with air-bubble agreements with India have direct flights to India. The following is a complete list of all the nations that have approved Covaxin:

Countries	Note
United Kingdom	The United Kingdom has announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be recognised on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing later this month, adding Sinovac, Sinopharm, and Covaxin from China to the country’s approved list of vaccines for inbound travellers. The adjustments will take effect on November 22nd.
United States of America	After 21 months, the United States relaxed its Covid-19 travel restrictions. Covaxin, among other vaccines, will be approved in the country.
Switzerland	Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin has been approved by Switzerland as a legitimate vaccine for travel from India.
Oman	In Oman, Indians who have taken Covaxin are exempt from the 14-day quarantine. Passengers from India who got two doses of Covaxin at least 14 days before their projected arrival date will no longer be required to undergo quarantine in Oman.
Nepal	Indian citizens must show a Covid-19 vaccine certificate and have had the last dose of the vaccine at least 14 days before entering the country.
Iran	Iran is another country that Indians who have received Covaxin vaccination are allowed to visit. The person must be isolated for 14 days if the RT-PCR test results are not available.
Sri Lanka	India’s neighbour accepts both Covaxin and Covishield. Travellers who have not been vaccinated will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine.
Estonia	Tests and quarantine will not be required of Indian citizens who have taken Covaxin. It was one of the first countries to notice Covaxin’s arrival.
Zimbabwe	Negative verification of genuine RT-PCR test findings is required for Indian visitors. Furthermore, the African nation has given its approval to both Covishield and Covaxin.
Guyana	Covaxin has been licenced for travel to Guyana, a South American country. AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna are the other vaccines that Guyana has approved.
Paraguay	Covaxin has also been licenced in Paraguay, another South American country. AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Pfizer, and Moderna are some of the other vaccines that Paraguay has approved.

Here’s a list of all the European Countries that have Approved Covishield for Green Pass

Covaxin Approving Nations that don’t Allow Direct Travel

Here’s another list of all those countries that have approved Covaxin but presently direct travel is not allowed to Indian passengers: 

Countries	Note
Australia	Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin has been licenced by Australia. However, there is no air-bubble agreement with India that permits direct flights. Indirect flights to Australia currently have layovers at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Tokyo. Covaxin, on the other hand, has not been licenced by any of the three countries.
Philippines	Travellers who have received the Covaxin vaccine are permitted to visit the Philippines. However, because India does not have direct flights to the country, passengers must travel via different routes.
Mexico	The use of Covaxin in an emergency has been approved by Mexico’s health regulator. However, the country is not one of the 28 countries with whom India has signed an air bubble deal.
Mauritius	Travel to Mauritius is possible for Indians who have received the Bharat Biotech vaccination, however, there are no direct flights from India to the country. The standards and conditions of the layover are determined by the country’s Covid-19 regulations in the case of indirect flights to countries that authorise Covaxin but are not part of the air bubble deal with India.
Greece	To enter Greece, Indians must have a Covid-19 vaccine certificate, a negative RT-PCR report from within the last 72 hours, or a negative antigen test from within the last 48 hours. Unless Covid symptoms are present upon arrival, people are not required to quarantine. People must take indirect flights through other European cities because there are no direct flights between India and Greece.

Here’s A Country-Wise Guide on Vaccination Rules for International Students!

Countries like the UK and the USA approving and recognising the Indian manufactured Covaxin is a piece of great news especially for study abroad aspirants, showing them the green signals to fulfil their dreams. Since the January intake is around the corner and Covaxin getting its approval from different countries, it’s time to finally kickstart your study abroad journey with Leverage Edu. Call us at 180572000 right now and book your first 30-minutes free counselling session with our experts!