Japan lists Covaxin as recognised Covid-19 vaccine to facilitate travel

Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin by Bharat Biotech of India, as one of the recognised vaccines for 1st and 2nd dose with effect from 10 April 2022 to further facilitate travel from India to Japan (sic)," the embassy took to Twitter to say.Government of Japan includes the indigenously developed and manufactured COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN by Bharat Biotech of India, as one of the recognised vaccines for 1st and 2nd dose with effect from 10 April 2022 to further facilitate travel from India to Japan#IndiaJapanat70 pic.twitter.com/6Rk7iAXLxb Apart from Covaxin, Japan also recognises Pfizer's Comirnaty, AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria, Covid-19 vaccine by Moderna and Janssen Covid-19 vaccine. Valid vaccination certificates in Japan Covid-19 vaccination certificates issued outside of Japan are recognised in the country if they are either in Japanese or English and contain the name, date of birth, product name or manufacturer of vaccines, vaccination date, and the number of Covid-19 vaccine doses. WHO suspension of Covaxin procurement Japan's decision comes days after the World Health Organization suspended procurement and supply of Covaxin citing issues following an inspection at the company’s facilities.

The Indian vaccine maker has committed to address deficiencies in good manufacturing practices and is developing a corrective and preventive action plan, the World Health Organization said, without specifying when the suspension will be lifted.

It recommended countries that have received the vaccine to “take actions as appropriate." The World Health Organization granted emergency use authorization to the vaccine co-developed by India’s medical research agency and the local manufacturer in November.