96 nations accept India's Covid vaccination certificates, says Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

New Delhi: A total of 96 nations across the globe have agreed to mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said.

The persons travelling to and from these nations are being provided certain relaxations, the Health Minister said on Tuesday. "Reflecting worldwide recognition of India`s vaccines and vaccination process, 96 countries have agreed to mutual accept its vaccination certificates," Mansukh Mandaviya said.

He added, "A total of 96 countries have also agreed to recognise Indian vaccination certificates of travellers fully vaccinated with Covishield, and other WHO approved and nationally approved vaccines."

PM @NarendraModi जी के नेतृत्व में #HarGharDastak अभियान के तहत टीकाकरण अभियान तेज गति से चल रहा है।

96 देशों ने भारत की दोनों वैक्सीन को मान्यता दी है। आने वाले समय में और भी देश दोनों वैक्सीन को मान्यता दें इसके लिए प्रयास जारी है।

https://t.co/Q2HvItVdUw pic.twitter.com/TN8TXmWTGu

— Office of Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@OfficeOf_MM) November 9, 2021

The Health Minister also stated that the Union government continues to be in contact with the rest of the world so that beneficiaries of the world`s largest Covid vaccination programme are accepted and recognised, thereby easing their travel for education, business and tourism purposes.

The UK government had announced on Monday that according to its new travel guidelines, Bharat Biotech`s Covaxin will be added to its approved list of Covid vaccines for international travellers from November 22.

"From 4 am on November 22, the UK government will recognise vaccines on the World Health Organization`s Emergency Use Listing," said the UK government`s new travel guidelines.

The development came after WHO-approved Covaxin for emergency use listing last week. Mandaviya also said that out of eight World Health Organisation-approved vaccines against Covid-19 in Emergency Use Listing (EUL), two vaccines - Covaxin and Covishield - are from India.

The cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country so far has exceeded 109.08 crore. India had achieved the milestone of 100 crore vaccinations on October 21.