Centre issues SOPs for states for global travel

The Centre on Monday said state governments have to designate a competent authority for according permission to administer the second dose of Covishield before completion of the currently mandated minimum interval of 84 days from the date of the first dose for people undertaking international travel for education or employment.

The Union Health Ministry issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for vaccination of people undertaking international travel for educational or employment, or as part of the national contingent for Tokyo Olympics.

“States/UT governments shall designate a competent authority in each district for according permission for such administration of the second dose of Covishield…This facility shall be available to those who need to undertake international travel for these specified purposes in the period up to 31st August 2021,” the ministry stated.

The health ministry said that the competent authority shall ensure specific guidelines before according permission for administration of the second dose before the period of 84 days after the first dose.

As part of the SOP, states have to ensure whether a period of 28 days has elapsed after the date of the first dose.

Second, states should check genuineness of the purpose of travel based on documents related to admission offers, or associated formal communications for education; whether a person is already studying at a foreign educational institution and has to return to that institution for continuing education; interview calls for a job or offer letters for taking up employment; and nomination to participate in the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The SOP states: “It is advised that vaccination may be availed in cases through Passport which is one of the permissible ID documents as per the current guidelines so that the passport number is printed in the Certificate. If Passport was not used at the time of administration of first dose, the details of the photo ID Card used for vaccination will printed in the vaccination certificate and mention of the Passport in the vaccination certificate is not to be insisted upon. Wherever necessary, the competent authority may issue another certificate linking the vaccination certificate with the passport number of the beneficiary.”