With multiple countries having announced or about to roll out travel policies for vaccinated travellers, Indians who have taken both shots of Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech may not make the cut, at least in the initial months of international travel.
Reason: Countries are either considering vaccines approved by their own regulatory agencies, or those on the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL).
While those made by Serum Institute of India (Covishield), Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca (two), Jansenn (in US and Netherlands) and Sinopharm/ BBIP are on the EUL, Covaxin is not yet on it.
WHO’s latest guidance document shows Bharat Biotech has submitted its Expression of Interest, but “more information is required.”
WHO has said the pre-submission meeting is to be planned in May-June.