Australia Recognizes Indian Vaccine ‘Covaxin’ For Travel As It Eases Border Restrictions

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The Department of Health, Australia on Monday approved the Covaxin, manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India for the purpose of establishing a traveler’s vaccination status.

The TGA also determined the BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China).

This recognition is for travelers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin, and those 18 to 60 who have been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV.

In recent weeks, the TGA has obtained additional information demonstrating these vaccines provide protection and potentially reduce the likelihood that an incoming traveler would transmit COVID-19 infection to others while in Australia or become acutely unwell due to COVID-19.

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The supporting information has been provided to the TGA from the vaccine sponsor and/or the World Health Organization.

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 recognized vaccine at least 14 days apart are regarded as fully vaccinated from 7 days after the second dose (with the exception of Janssen vaccine, where they are regarded as fully vaccinated 7 days after the single dose).

This includes homologous (two doses of the same vaccine) and heterologous (two doses of two different TGA-approved or recognized vaccines) schedules.

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From 1 November 2021, vaccinated Australians and permanent residents aged 12 and over may depart Australia without the need to seek a travel exemption.

Information about this, and what constitutes ‘fully vaccinated’, can be found at Travel for vaccinated Australians and permanent residents.

Australia Reopen International Borders

Australia eased its international border restrictions on Monday for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic.

After more than 18 months of some of the world’s strictest coronavirus border policies, millions of Australians are now free to travel without a permit or the need to quarantine on arrival in the country.

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Also Read: Thailand End Quarantine For Vaccinated Travelers, Reopen For Over 60 Countries Including India From Nov 01

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Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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