Australia Accepts China and India COVID-19 Vaccinated Travelers

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) determined that Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India) and BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China) vaccines would be 'recognized' to establish a traveler’s vaccination status. 

This recognition announced on November 1, 2021, is for travelers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin and those 18 to 60 who have been immunized with BBIBP-CorV.

In recent weeks, the TGA has obtained additional information demonstrating these vaccines provide protection and potentially reduce the likelihood that an incoming traveler would transmit COVID-19 infection to others while in Australia or become acutely unwell due to COVID-19. 

The supporting information has been provided to the TGA from the vaccine sponsor and/or the World Health Organisation.

Importantly, recognition of Covaxin, and BBIBP-CorV, along with the previously announced recognition of Coronavac (manufactured by Sinovac, China) and Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca, India), 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 significantly impact the return of international students and the travel of skilled and unskilled workers to Australia. 

From November 2021, vaccinated Australians and permanent residents aged 12 and over may depart Australia without the need to seek a travel exemption. Information about this and what constitutes 'fully vaccinated' can be found at Travel for vaccinated Australians and permanent residents.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is part of the Australian Government Department of Health. It regulates therapeutic goods, including prescription medicines, vaccines, sunscreens, vitamins and minerals, medical devices, blood and blood products.

Vax-Before-Travel publishes fact-checked research-based travel vaccine news.