NEW DELHI: Switzerland has recognised Covaxin and the UK is also likely to do the same shortly. With World Health Organisation’s (WHO) emergency use listing for Covaxin going to lead to increased international travel, a senior aviation ministry official said “we are adding capacity depending on demand” for flights under air bubble agreements with various countries.
International airfares have been very high during Covid — one-way fares to some destinations being higher than prepandemic return fares — and only increased capacity can lead to a lower fare, say airlines.
Foreign tourists will be allowed in from mid-November on non-charters and high fares will be an impediment in restarting inbound travel to India. The US is opening up for international travelers from Monday. “India has an open sky agreement with US (meaning no restriction on the number of flights Air India and US carriers can operate between the two places),” said the official.
Before WHO-approved Covaxin, about 16 countries had accepted this vaccine for the purpose of allowing vaccinated travellers from India. Post WHO nod many countries, including UK and Canada, are evaluating Covaxin and could recognise it in coming days. UK — one of the biggest destinations for Indians — is expected to recognise Covaxin soon, say people in the know.
The medical fraternity is unhappy at the “different standards being adopted by different countries while granting approval to vaccines”. Delhi-based Dr Arvind Kumar, well known for his work during Covid times, told TOI: “Vaccines are medicines developed by scientists for the good of humanity. Their use should be above any political or geographical considerations. Denying the benefit of these vaccines as a means of restoring a semblance of normalcy in today’s pandemic-infested world, nullifies the great work being done by our scientists. This should be avoided. We in the fraternity look forward to a day when the world’s vaccine pool is used for the good of humanity without any bias.”
A British High Commission spokesperson told TOI: “The UK will continue taking a phased approach to extending our vaccinated arrivals policy. Work is ongoing, including withi nternational partners, to determine which other non-UK vaccines we might recognise in the future.”
A Canadian HC spokesperson said: “Covid-19 drug and vaccine submissions are prioritised and reviewed on an expedited timeline, above the usual performance standards, without compromising safety, efficacy and quality standards, due to the public health need….. Timing for the completion
of Health Canada’s review depends on many factors, including but not limited to a need for additional data, discussions with the sponsor, and requirements for updates to safety information.”
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