Mumbai: Students going abroad are in a dilemma over whether to take a different COVID-19 vaccine as Covaxin has not yet been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Maharasthra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar clarified the issue, asking people to be patient and avoid mixing vaccines.
“Bharat Biotech’s vaccine hasn’t been approved by the WHO. Students who want to travel abroad for studies, and their parents, have approached us to find a solution. Many are asking if they should go for Covishield after taking both shots of Covaxin, or those who have taken one dose of Covaxin should now take a Covishield jab. This will be harmful and the experts that I spoke to have advised against this,” Pawar told reporters.
He added that the Central government and Bharat Biotech are trying to get Covaxin approved.
Students who have taken Covaxin are currently not allowed to travel abroad. An emergency use permission for Covaxin was rejected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week.
