Vaccine shortage in Telangana threatens to derail students’ dreams of studying abroad

The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of students aspiring to study abroad in a state of disarray. Despite getting good GRE and IELTS scores and securing admission in universities abroad, city students are unsure whether they will be able to travel overseas and join their peers on campus when the fall semester commences in August. Several universities in the US and Canada have made it mandatory for students to be fully inoculated before being allowed on campus. On Tuesday, Telangana government instructed private hospitals to administer COVID vaccine for 18+ people. However, with just two months to go for the fall semester, city students’ dream of studying abroad hangs in the balance as it all depends on whether they will be able to get vaccinated for COVID-19 as mandated.
Abhilash TM, a city-based IT professional who has secured admission for a master’s programme in Northern Arizona University, says, “The university has made it clear that international students will not be allowed on campus without being fully vaccinated. This leaves me in a very tricky situation since Telangana has not yet started vaccination for the 18-45 age group. With government officials stating that vaccines may not be available till July, it will be practically impossible for me to take two vaccine doses and reach the US in time for the start of my course.”
Shantan Chandran, a B-tech graduate who has gotten into Ohio University for a master’s programme, is in a similar situation. “I was supposed to start my course last year itself but due to high number of COVID cases in the US in 2020, I decided to defer it by a year. My university says that I have to be fully vaccinated before joining classes. Even if get my first dose of COVD vaccine by June end, it is unlikely that I can take the second dose before my classes start in August. I worry that I might miss the start of this academic year too,” he says.
With many countries yet to approve covaxin, students on tenterhooks
Apart from shortage of vaccines, city students are also in a fix over which vaccine to take, since several countries are not accepting those who have taken Covaxin. The Bharat Biotech manufactured Covaxin is not in the WHO list of approved vaccines, which means even if a student has taken two shots of Covaxin, they might not be allowed on campus. Mounika Reddy, who got admission in Carleton University in Canada, says, “When I received my admission letter, I was informed that I am supposed to take one of the four vaccines which are approved in Canada. Covaxin does not feature in this list. With a shortage of vaccines already, we don’t really have the option to pick and choose. If I have to wait to take only Covishield or Sputnik V vaccine, the wait might be longer.”
Agreeing, Shantan adds, “With universities not accepting Covaxin, the only option for us is to take Covishield. However, government advisory says there should be a 12-16 weeks gap between the first and second dose of Covishield, which makes it impossible for us to take both the shots before our classes begin.”

We’re hoping we’ll be allowed to get vaccinated on arrival abroad: students
Given that there isn’t enough time for students to get fully inoculated before the start of their Fall Semester in August, students are hopeful that they will be allowed to take the vaccine shots in the country they’re visiting to study. Sampath Chowdary, a B.Tech graduate from Vijayawada who secured admission in Georgian College, Canada, says, “We are still awaiting clarity on whether we will be allowed to take the vaccine in Canada or the US. If they decided to prioritise vaccines for their own citizens first, we will be in a fix.”
Students who have reached out to universities for help with vaccination have been told that they are awaiting approval from their respective governments. “At this time, the most practical thing to do for us is to go to the US and take both vaccine shots there. However, with rules evolving rapidly due to the COVID situation, we are still awaiting clarity on whether we can take the vaccine there or not. Our consultancies have told us that several countries in Europe are giving vaccinations on-board for students, and we’re hoping that we can do the same in the US,” adds Abhilash.

Universities are free to take their own decision regarding vaccines: US govt sources
According to sources in the United States High Commission in India, universities in the US have been given a free hand to formulate their own vaccination guidelines for foreign students. The US government is expected to issue new guidelines for Indian students based on how the pandemic situation evolves in the coming weeks. “American universities are independent and free to take the decision on their international students. Vaccine shortage in India is evident and universities are expected to take a final decision based on how the situation evolves there in the upcoming weeks,” revealed a source from the US High Commission in India.
Check list for Indian students travelling abroad
Support letter from the university
Vaccine policies of the country and university
COVID related guidelines of the country and university
Quarantine arrangements after landing (Varies from country to country)
Valid doctor prescriptions if you are carrying any medicines
Campus pandemic policy for Indians