SOPs are issued by the Centre for vaccination of those who will be traveling internationally for educational or work purposes

CoWIN certificates will be connected to the travellers’ passports. In vaccination certificates, mentioning the vaccine type as “Covishield” is sufficient; no further qualifying entries are necessary.

Since the 16th of January this year, the Government of India has been assisting States and ITs in their attempts to conduct an efficient vaccination push using a “Whole of Government” strategy. 

With the start of the Liberalised Phase III of India’s vaccination policy on May 1, 2021, the government has expanded immunization to all adults over the age of 18 to universalize the immunization effort. 

The Union Government has made a concerted effort to simplify the vaccination procedure in order to boost coverage of all sectors of the population. Taking note of the numerous representatives received by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in support of allowing the administration of a second dose of Covishield to those who have only received the first dose of Covishield and wish to travel internationally for educational or employment purposes.

However, for those whose travel dates fall before the present prescribed minimum gap of 84 days from the date of the first dosage, the Union Health Ministry has requested States/UTs to help them get vaccinated.

In this respect, the Ministry has produced SOPs, which have been sent to States and UTs. States/UTs have been instructed to make these SOPs publicly known and to take all required steps to adopt them as soon as possible.

Currently, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) recommends that the second dose of the Covishield vaccine be administered 12-16 weeks after the first dose, as recommended by the NEGVAC.

The following process for administering the second dose of the Covishield vaccine to such beneficiaries would be followed to provide full immunization coverage and to facilitate overseas travel for such valid reasons.

This exceptional dispensation will be available to:

1. Students who are required to go abroad for educational purposes.
2. Those who are required to work in foreign countries.

Before approving administration of a second dosage within 84 days of the first shot, the responsible authority must check for the following:

1. Original passport
2. Valid Visa of the country
3. Letter of Acceptance of the University
4. Proof of the first dose of vaccination