Kerala High Court seeks Union government’s response over NRIs plea for the third dose
Travellers from India to other countries should take a cautious call on vaccination and be clear about the approved vaccines before starting their journey.
Many countries have eased international travel restrictions for flyers from India with certain conditions of vaccination, Covid-19 tests and quarantine policies.
Most of the countries are allowing fully vaccinated people, while some are allowing people with one dose.
The catch for flyers from India is Covaxin or Covishield. Since the World Health Organisation has not yet approved Covaxin, most of the countries are not allowing those who have taken Covaxin
The catch for flyers from India is Covaxin or Covishield. Since the World Health Organisation has not yet approved Covaxin, most countries are not allowing those who have taken Covaxin.
So before travelling, an individual should be clear about the approval of the vaccine at the port of destination.
Hearing a case of a Non-Resident-Indian (NRI) the Kerala High Court sought the response of the Union government, whether an individual is allowed to go for third dose if he has to travel to a country where Covaxin is not approved.
The NRI has taken both doses of Covaxin, which is not approved in Saudi Arabia, where he works in a company.
In his plea, the NRI had sought permission to allow him to take the third dose of an internationally approved vaccine so that he could travel to Saudi Arabia before August 30.
The only option left for him is to go for the third dose of any other vaccine, which is approved in Saudi Arabia.
Though the easing of travel restrictions has given some ray of hope to NRIs and Indian students who are planning higher studies abroad, the confusion over the approved vaccine is proving to be a spoilsport for many.
A section of NRIs has demanded the release of an exhaustive list of the countries allowing the vaccines being administered in India.
“It will give us peace of mind. Whether we are eligible to travel or not. In fact, the NRIs themselves should get information from the respective countries about the approved vaccines and plan accordingly,” said George, who works in UAE where among the Indian vaccines Covishield is allowed.