Many Indians May Not Be Able To Go On Foreign Trips; Here’s Why

New Delhi: Indians who have taken the Covaxin shots manufactured by Bharat Biotech may not be able to travel abroad as and when the countries roll out their travel policies post the pandemic.

The reason?

Covaxin is still not on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL). Countries that are opening up or likely to open up in the near future, are either considering vaccines approved by their own regulatory agencies, or those on the WHO’s EUL. While those made by Serum Ins (Covishield), Moderna, Pfizer, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca (two), Jansenn (in US and Netherlands) and Sinopharm/ BBIP are on the EUL, Covaxin is not yet on it, Times of India (TOI) reported.

WHO’s latest guidance document shows Bharat Biotech has submitted its Expression of Interest, but “more in information is required.” WHO has said the pre-submission mee meeting is to be planned for May-June. Following this, the firm must submit its Dossier, acceptance of which would lead to WHO’s statement of assessment before it decides to include Covaxin. Each step could take weeks, if not months, the report added.

TOI quoted Vikram Shroff, an immigration expert, as saying that if a particular vaccine is not on EUL or approved by a foreign country, the traveller may be regarded as non-vaccinated.