New Zealand approves India-made vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin

In a recent development, New Zealand has finally approved India-made vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin. The decision comes soon after Australia, New Zealand’s neighbour, recognised the two Indian vaccines last month.

This means that Indian travellers vaccinated with these vaccines will not have to quarantine upon landing in New Zealand. Till now, the island nation has approved eight vaccines. Also, both the vaccines have been recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The good news was shared by India’s high commissioner to New Zealand, Muktesh Pardeshi. He took to Twitter and tweeted,

“In a positive decision, NZ includes #covishield and #covaxin in the list of 8 recognised vaccines. We keenly await lifting of travel restrictions. India is already open to vaccinated tourists”.

Meanwhile, India has mutual vaccination certificates agreement with 99 countries in the world, including the US, UK, UAE, Qatar, France and Germany, among others. The country, for the first time since March 2020, has opened its borders for foreign travellers who are fully vaccinated.

The rule came into effect on November 15 and travellers from mutually agreed nations do not have to undergo any post-arrival COVID-19 test. Though travellers from these countries will be exempted from mandatory quarantine, they will still have to follow some COVID-19 norms.

New Zealand with its strict COVID-19 restrictions managed to contain the virus successfully. As soon as the number of virus cases started rising worldwide, the island nation sealed all its international borders and went into strict countrywide lockdown.

The country’s PM, Jacinda Ardern was globally praised for her prompt decisions and actions, which saved the country from severe damages. The country till date has reported 9285 cases and 35 deaths.