U.K approves Covaxin as valid vaccine for travelers from today

U.K’s decision to allow Covaxin-vaccinated travelers to enter the country with out undergoing quarantine has come into effect from today. Covaxin is the India’s indigenous vaccine against Covid-19 made by Bharat Biotech.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization had approved Covaxin for emergency use. The U.K had recognized Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin as approved vaccine as soon as the WHO cleared it.

From today on wards, the U.K will allow Covaxin vaccinated passengers to travel across the country.

On November 9, Britain said it would recognize COVID-19 vaccines on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing later this month, adding China’s Sinovac, Sinopharm and India’s Covaxin to the country’s approved list of vaccines for inbound travelers.

British High Commissioner Alex Ellis tweeted that the UK would recognize Covaxin as a valid Covid-19 vaccine for travel from November 22.

Ellis wrote, “More good news for Indian travelers to Great Britain. From 22 November travelers fully vaccinated with a Covid-19 vaccine recognized by the WHO for Emergency Use Listing, including Covaxin, will not have to self-isolate; so joining those fully vaccinated with Covishield”.

The changes, which have come into force from today, will benefit fully vaccinated people from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and India.

Earlier, the U.K had approved India’s Covishield as valid vaccine.