VACCINE DIPLOMACY: World is Divided into Vaccine Silos

Only nine countries approve Covaxin developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech

T P Venu

Are you planning to travel abroad soon? Then your chances of a smooth trip is based on the vaccine that you took. Vaccine diplomacy is hitting a new high as majority of the countries approve Covishield and just nine countries Covaxin.

This has a lot of Indians worried. In many cases a catch-22 situation. What would one do if he has to choose between the big ‘C’s and only Covaxin is available. What would the thousands of students who aspire to study abroad do?

Interestingly, Covishield is not yet approved in the United States but it’s under clinical trials. Covaxin is not a subject of trials anywhere outside India. Several reports suggest that efficacy of Covaxin is good.

Covishield is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in association with AstraZeneca and University of Oxford, Covaxin is a wholly indigenous vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech.

Students a worried lot

Close to a million and half students go to study abroad from India every year. USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland are the most favoured countries. Students now are looking out for a Covaxin jab. Canada has not approved Covaxin. Radhika Nair, 21, a student based out of Secunderabad says, “I am stressed and want to take Covishield, just in case.” Similarly, Rohit P, a student from Jaipur has been running from pillar to post and consulting people on what to do. He says, “UK and Ireland too recognise Covishield.”

Several UG and PG programs start in August-September and students are eager to get a Covishield jab to avoid rejections. Rohit says, “Hotel quarantine is really expensive, a Covishield jab, if taken saves money and stress.”

The other option is Sputnik V but is in short supply. Many countries are now looking at ‘vaccine passports’. Dilip Chaterjee, a frequent traveller says, “It is a new kind of racism. Previously it was the colour of the skin and now you would be judged by the passport that you carry.”