Australia recognises Covaxin, day after PM Modi pushes for WHO approval of Indian vaccines

In a massive victory for India, Australia on Monday has recognised Covaxin as one of the recognised vaccines of travellers wishing to enter the state. Issuing a statement, the Australian Department of Health has added Covaxin (for age 12 and above) and Sinopharm (for age 18 to 60) to the list of accepted/recognised vaccines. Australia uses COVID vaccines of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca for inoculating its population and recognises Covishield, Coronavac, Covaxin and Sinopharm additionally.

Australia recognises Covaxin

The govt issued a statement reading, "Importantly, recognition of Covaxin, and BBIBP-CorV, along with the previously announced recognition of Coronavac (manufactured by Sinovac, China) and Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca, India), means many citizens of China and India, as well as other countries in our region where these vaccines have been widely deployed, will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia. This will have significant impacts for the return of international students, and travel of skilled and unskilled workers to Australia. In addition, with input from the TGA, ATAGI have determined that those who have received two doses of a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine at least 14 days apart are regarded as fully vaccinated from 7 days after the second dose".

Incidentally, on Saturday, PM Modi urged the WHO to recognise Indian vaccines at the earliest while promising  that India will produce 5 billion doses for the world next year. At the Global Economy and Global Health Session, PM Modi highlighted the importance of India's recent feat of crossing 1 billion jabs - making 1/6th of humanity immune to COVID-19. Playing the role of Pharmacy of the World, India delivered medicines to more than 150 countries, said PM Modi.

He said, "India has always been serious about its global obligations. Today, on this G-20 platform, I want to tell you all that India is preparing to produce more than 5 billion vaccine doses for the world next year. This commitment of India will go a long way in preventing the global transmission of Corona. Therefore, it is imperative that Indian vaccines be recognized by the WHO as soon as possible."

Australia has already included  India's Covishield (AstraZeneca/SII) and China's Coronavac (Sinovac) as 'recognised vaccines' for incoming travellers on October 1. Announcing his government's 'Reopen to the world' plan, Morrison said that Australia will allow fully vaccinated Australians and others to enter the country, but will have to undergo a seven-day home quarantine initially. Recognition of China's Coronavac comes amid a trade war between the two nations as Australia sought a probe into COVID-19 origins in China. Similarly, Covishield's recognition comes after PM Modi's push for vaccine equity at the UN General Assembly.

Covishield & Covaxin recognition

Apart from Australia, Covishield - which has been recognised by WHO - has been recognised Austria, Germany, France, Slovenia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Estonia. UK has conditionally recognised Covishield  as an 'approved vaccine', but Indians will still have to undergo mandatory quarantine upon their arrival as the nation is sorting out technical certification issues with India's Co-WIN certification developers. Covaxin, which is awaiting its WHO approval, is recognised by Nepal, Oman, Iran, Mauritius, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Greece, Mexico, Zimbabwe and India.