Australia gives nod to Bharat Biotech's Covaxin

The Australian government on Monday has given its nod for recognizing Bharat Biotech's coronavirus vaccine Covaxin for the purpose of establishing a traveler's vaccination status, reported news agency ANI quoting Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell AO, as saying on Monday.

Taking to Twitter to announce the decision, Farrell AO wrote, Today, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia determined that Covaxin, manufactured by Bharat Biotech vaccine would be 'recognised' for the purpose of establishing a traveller's vaccination status.

Importantly, recognition of Covaxin, along with the previously announced recognition of Covishield means many Flag of India citizens, as well as other countries, will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia.

Along with Covaxin, China's Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV too has been added to the list. This recognition, the TGA says, is for travellers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin, and those 18 to 60 who have been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV. From today, Australia's two largest cities Sydney and Melbourne has also scrapped overseas arrival restrictions due to Covid-19, hundreds of Australians have begun to fly home, after being stuck overseas since borders first slammed shut in late March 2020. Fourteen international flights are expected to touch down in Sydney airport on Monday, and passengers from Singapore and Hong Kong are due to arrive at Melbourne airport over the day.

At present, Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) are the only states that have lifted their cap and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated overseas arrivals. From Monday, fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents would also be allowed to leave Australia without a previously required travel exemption.

While announcing the return of regional travel in NSW at regional Dubbo Airport, NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet praised the lifting of restrictions as "the start of a new journey".