Vaccinated With Covaxin, Indian Expat Moves HC Seeking Covishield Shots Fearing Job Loss

The Indian expat stated that according to his visa stipulation, he has to return to Saudi Arabia before August 30 or he would lose his job.

File Photo: PTI

Kochi: An Indian expat working in Saudi Arabia approached the Kerala High Court with a petition asking for permission to get re-vaccinated with Covishield after being fully vaccinated with Covaxin. 

Girikumar Thekkan Kunnumpurath (50) who hails from Kerala's Kannur city submitted the petition stating that Covaxin is not recognised in Saudi Arabia and according to his visa stipulation, he has to return to Saudi Arabia before August 30 or he would lose his job.

He informed in his petition that he returned to India in January when the COVID second wave gripped Saudi Arabia. When the Indian government permitted vaccines for people aged above 45, he registered on the CoWIN portal using his passport details.

"He got the first Covaxin dose on April 17, and the second a month later. It was only after receiving Covaxin that he came to know that it is not approved by the Saudi government. Had the authorities informed the public about the non-recognition of Covaxin earlier, he would not have taken it. He never knew his decision would put his job abroad in jeopardy," the petition reads.

The Kerala High Court has sought the Union Government's view on this matter. The next hearing will take place on August 9.

Meanwhile, in a positive development for Bharat Biotech, Covaxin has received a certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance from the Hungarian authorities.

The approval received is from the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition Hungary certifying the GMP for the manufacture of Covaxin, Bharat Biotech informed.

Covaxin is among the four vaccines approved by India’s drug regulator. The other three vaccines being used in the nationwide inoculation drive are Covishield, Sputnik V and Moderna.

(With Agency Inputs)