Australia to recognise two more Covid vaccines, greenlighting travel from India and China
The TGA has formally recognised two more Covid vaccines from overseas, clearing the way for more international travellers.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has formally recognised two more Covid vaccines from overseas, clearing the way for travellers from China and India to visit Australia going forward.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, the TGA said it would recognise the BBIBP-CorV and Covaxin vaccines – which are made in China and India, respectively – 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 18-60 who have been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV,” the regulator said.
“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 to others while in Australia, or become acutely unwell.
“The supporting information has been provided to the TGA from the vaccine sponsor and/or the World Health Organisation.
“(Recognition of these vaccines) means many citizens of China and India, as well as other countries in our region where these vaccines have been widely deployed, will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia.
“This will have significant impacts for the return of international students, and travel of skilled and unskilled workers to Australia.”
This news came on the same day that Australia’s international borders opened for fully vaccinated people.
Travellers will need to provide evidence of their vaccination status when they check-in at the airport with an Australian-issued International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC).
Children under 12 and people who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons will be treated the same as fully-vaccinated travellers. If you are over 12 and not fully vaccinated, you will need to apply for an exemption to leave Australia.
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