Indians’ global trips may get hit as Covaxin not on WHO vaccine list

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), Janssen (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. 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. Bharat Biotech did not respond to TOI’s questions.

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