UK joins US to approve India-made Covaxin for travel

Britain said it would recognise 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 travellers.

The changes, which come into force from November 22, will benefit fully vaccinated people from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and India.

The travel rules are being further simplified as all people under the age of 18 will be treated as fully vaccinated at the border and can enter England without self-isolating on arrival, the Department for Transport said on November 8.

Last month, Covishield, the India-manufactured Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, was added to the UK's approved list.

"More good news for Indian travellers to the UK. From 22 November travellers fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by WHO for Emergency Use Listing, including Covaxin, will not have to self-isolate; so joining those fully vaccinated with Covishield," Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said on Twitter on November 8.

The United States has recently lifted its Covid-19 travel restrictions after 21 months. The country will approve Covaxin, among other vaccines, following WHO's approval and recognition.