Australia recognises Covishield vaccine

Australia has recognised Covishield vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India (SII).

However, it is not yet clear if the recognition of the India-made vaccine will help Indian tourists and students to visit Australia and, according to a spokesperson from the Australian High Commission, vaccinated travellers will have to produce a vaccination certificate to enter Australia.

“Today, the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) has published its initial assessment of the data on the protection offered by the Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines and has advised that these vaccines should be considered as ‘recognised vaccines’ for the purpose of determining incoming international travellers as being appropriately vaccinated,” said Mr. Morrison, emphasising that the latest announcement is aimed at reuniting Australian families and to welcome tourists back to Australia.

This announcement is likely to help Australian nationals who have taken Covishield doses and were expecting to travel to Australia, which at the moment has travel barriers. The Government of Australia is committed to ensure that Australians who were “fully vaccinated” abroad can return home without unnecessary obstacles.

“The recognition of these two additional vaccines is a major milestone towards more Australians vaccinated overseas getting home sooner.” said Mr. Morrison.

The announcement came a day after the Australian PM indicated that the status of Covishield in Australia was pending before the TGA. He, however, said that declaring certain vaccines as ‘recognised vaccines’ is separate from the issue of allowing these to be used by citizens in Australia. It also appears unclear if Indian tourists and students who have been vaccinated using Covishield would be allowed into the country.

India and Australia are in talks to deal with the travel requirement of a large number of Indian students who are enrolled in Australian universities but are unable to travel to the campuses as Australia remains shut to tourists and travellers.

The spokesperson, however, clarified there was a need for “further decisions” before the process was clarified for international travellers.

“Travellers will need to produce evidence they have been vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine, such as a vaccination certificate. Travellers will also need to attest at check-in that they have been fully vaccinated with an approved or recognised vaccine,” said the spokesperson indicating a decision will be taken in the coming weeks.

Requirement for a vaccination certificate from Indian travellers will also require connectivity between databases of India and Australia, which is expected to require some negotiation as already shown by the ongoing stalemate between India and the U.K. over similar vaccination certificates.

Prime Minister Morrison, however, mentioned that in the coming weeks, Australia will move back to “reopen” its territory, saying, “Within weeks, large parts of the country will be moving to Phase B and then to Phase C of the National Plan to safely reopen Australia and to stay safely open.”