PM Modi Thanks Scott Morrison As Australia Recognises Bharat Biotech's Covaxin

The Australian government has recognised Covaxin for the purpose of establishing a traveller's vaccination status.

Covaxin vaccine. Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: FIT)

The Australian government on Monday, 1 November, officially recognised Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, for the purpose of establishing a traveller's vaccination status.

"Today, the @TGAgovau determined that Covaxin (manufactured by @BharatBiotech) vaccine would be 'recognised' for the purpose of establishing a traveller's vaccination status," tweeted Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell AO.

"Importantly, recognition of Covaxin, along with the previously announced recognition of Covishield (manufactured by @AstraZenecaIn), means that many Indian citizens, as well as other countries, will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia," he added.

After the announcement, PM Modi on Monday evening thanked Australia PM Scott Morrison for the country's recognition of Covaxin, saying that it is an important step forward in the post-COVID partnership between India and Australia.

The approval for the Bharat Biotech vaccine was given by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), a central regulatory agency of Australia.

"Today, the TGA determined that Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India) and BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China) vaccines would be 'recognised' for the purpose of establishing a traveller's vaccination status. This recognition 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," the TGA said in a statement.

"In recent weeks, the TGA has obtained additional information demonstrating these vaccines provide protection and potentially reduce the likelihood that an incoming traveller would transmit COVID-19 infection to others while in Australia or become acutely unwell due to COVID-19. The supporting information has been provided to the TGA from the vaccine sponsor and/or the World Health Organisation."

Therapeutic Goods Administration

Bharat Biotech has been trying to obtain WHO emergency use listing for several months now. The EUL approval is expected to come soon, after the due process has been completed, WHO officials have indicated.