NEW DELHI: Vaccination is unlikely to have an immediate effect on preventing importation and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus in between countries and among air travellers, a World Health Organization (WHO) panel has said. The Indian government is working towards issuing digital covid-19 vaccination certificates that will be valid globally. "Vaccination is, however, unlikely to have an immediate effect on preventing SARS-CoV-2 importation and transmission in receiving countries and transmission among air travellers for two reasons," the panel said. However, being vaccinated against covid-19 may not prevent transmission and 'vaccination passports' may not be an “effective strategy" for restarting travel. In India, more than 21.3 crores vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide covid-19 vaccination drive.

Source: Mint May 31, 2021 10:29 UTC