Bahrain Approves Emergency Use Of Covaxin: Bharat Biotech’s Covid Vaccine Okayed By 97 Countries So Far

Bahrain approves Covaxin: With Bahrain's recognition, India's Covaxin and Covishield have now been approved for emergency use in 97 countries.

Bahrain Approves Emergency Use Of Covaxin, 97 Countries Have Approved This Vaccine So Far: File Image

New Delhi: Bahrain's National Health Regulatory Authority has aproved the emergency use of Bharat Biotech developed Covaxin, said Indian Embassy in Bahrain on Friday. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) had approved the emergency use of Covaxin for those aged 18 years and above, earlier this month. Since then, India has been in talks with countries that are issuing separate orders to recognise the vaccine. With Bahrain's recognition, India's Covaxin and Covishield have now been approved for emergency use in 97 countries.

Bahrain’s National Health Regulatory Authority @NHRABahrain approves the emergency use of the India’s indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccination, COVAXIN by Bharat Biotech. #Covaxin https://t.co/7F3h2NYwjc pic.twitter.com/Fi0xtqbI0a

— India in Bahrain (@IndiaInBahrain) November 12, 2021

On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs had informed that 96 countries had either gone with vaccines approved by WHO or has provided special approvals for Covishield and Covaxin. WHO has approved both Covishield and Covaxin for emergency use. Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said, "After WHO's emergency-use approval of Covaxin, we expect this list to have 96 or more countries that have approved both India-made Covid-19 vaccines. I think it will significantly improve the ease of travelling overseas for Indians who have been vaccinated."  

When asked to clarify on the government's statement, Bagchi stated that both the lists can be viewed on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as on the Ministry of External Affairs official websites. The first list is of high-risk countries and the second is of Category A countries. According to Bagchi, the revised guidelines for entry into India would largely depend on these lists.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said countries that have recognized WHO-approved vaccines along with those who approved the two India-made vaccines have been placed in Category A.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, “In a significant development, the World Health Organization has approved emergency use of India's Covaxin. This should facilitate international travel for people vaccinated by Covaxin. After being approved by WHO for emergency use, many nations have automatically added Covaxin on their list of approved vaccines."