Covishield, Covaxin recognised by 96 countries: Health Minister

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Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, said on Tuesday that 96 countries have recognised Covaxin and Covishield. Both these COVID-19 vaccines have received emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“WHO has included eight vaccines in EUL so far. We are happy two out of these are Indian vaccines - Covaxin and Covishield. Ninety-six countries of the world have recognised both these vaccines,” said Mandaviya.

The 96 nations include Canada, US, Australia, Spain, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Switzerland, etc. He also informed that more than 109 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far in India.

Under “Har Ghar Dastak” vaccination campaign, he said, “Healthcare workers are going to all houses to carry out the vaccination drive.”

He said that the Union government continues to be in communication with the rest of the world so that beneficiaries of the world’s largest Covid-19 vaccination programme are accepted and recognised, hence easing travel for education, business and tourism reasons.

He asserted that the health ministry along with foreign ministry is in constant communication with all countries for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates to enable hassle-free international travel.