Australia okays Covishield vaccine for int’l travellers
NEW DELHI: Australia on Friday declared Covishield, the Indian variant of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 shot, as a “recognised vaccine” for international travellers as part of its next steps to safely reopen to the world.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia listed Covishield and China’s Coronavac (Sinovac) as “recognised vaccines” after an initial assessment of data on the protection offered by the two jabs. Covishield, which is produced by the Serum Institute of India, and Coronavac “should be considered as ‘recognised vaccines’ for the purpose of determining incoming international travellers as being appropriately vaccinated”, said a statement issued jointly by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and several ministers.
The statement outlined the next steps to be taken by Australia to safely reopen to the world and the changes coming to the international border. “Our government is setting out the framework for how international travel will look in coming months,” it said.
India has been pressing the Australian side to open up travel for Indian travellers, especially students wishing to join courses at various universities and educational institutions. India is the second-largest source for foreign students in Australia, behind China. During 2019-20, Indian students contributed $6.6 billion to the Australian economy.
The statement, however, indicated that Indian students will have to wait some more time before being granted permission to travel to Australia. Officials had earlier said that the entry of foreign students to Australia is expected to begin by the end of the first semester in 2022.
The Australian government plans to move forward on foreign travel only after 70% of the population has been fully vaccinated. More than 78% of Australians have received the first dose and double dose rates are at 55%, with some areas on track to reach 70% over the next week.
In the initial stages, the Australian government will allow travel to reunite Australian families, and so that Australian workers can travel in and out. It will also work towards allowing in tourists.