India-made Covaxin now on UK’s approved travel list

• Chandrashekar Bhat
• 23 November, 2021

By: Chandrashekar Bhat

BHARAT Biotech-manufactured Covaxin, one of the vaccines being administered in India against the coronavirus, is on the UK’s list of approved Covid-19 jabs for international travellers from Monday (22).

It will benefit more fully vaccinated Indians planning travel to the UK without the need for a pre-departure PCR test or self-isolation at the address declared on their compulsory Passenger Locator Forms.

Like other fully vaccinated travellers, including those vaccinated with Covishield, they are required to pre-book a PCR or Lateral Flow Test on arrival in England, to be taken before the end of day 2.

“From 4 am on Monday 22 November, the government will recognise vaccines on the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) at the border,” the UK’s department for transport confirmed.

“As a result, Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin will be added to our existing list of approved vaccines for inbound travel, benefitting more fully vaccinated passengers,” it said.

Earlier this month, Covaxin – the second most used formulation in India – had received its WHO EUL status, resulting in the UK announcing plans to include it on its list of approved Covid vaccines.

(PTI)