More and more people are now vaccinated and thousands are waiting for their scheduled COVID-19 vaccine shots. The great next question is “Is the vaccine you had recognized?”
Yes, the world is now beginning to relax travel restrictions and making new requirements taking into consideration the vaccinated persons but several different countries have also released their own specific list of recognized vaccines.
Some countries even have a no entry policy for certain vaccine brands, such as Chinese-made Sinovac, which comprises the bulk of the Philippines’ vaccine supply.
This is one of those times where brand matters.
No worries for we have here a list of all COVID-19 vaccines recognized in specific countries and vaccines that are not allowed to enter them as of writing.
Europe
All vaccines approved by World Health Organization are recognized.
(Info from European Union Delegation)
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- AstraZeneca
- Moderna
- Johnson & Johnson
- Sinovac
- Sinopharm
Canada
Recognized vaccines for eligible travelers.
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- AstraZeneca
- Moderna
- Johnson & Johnson
Note: Departure at least 14 days after last dose
NOT accepted vaccines in Canada:
- Bharat Biotech
- Cansino
- Gamaleya
- Sinopharm
- Sinovac
- Vector Institute
- Others
Thailand (Phuket)
Vaccines registered with Thailand Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or approved by the WHO are recognized.
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- AstraZeneca
- Moderna
- Johnson & Johnson
- Sinovac
- Sinopharm
Kuwait
Recognized vaccines for non-Kuwaitis.
(w/ valid residency permit starting August 1)
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca
- Johnson & Johnson
Saudi Arabia
Recognized vaccines for inbound travelers.
(Info from Philippine Airlines and Saudia Airlines)
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- AstraZeneca
- Moderna
- Johnson & Johnson
Can enter but will undergo quarantine:
- Sinovac
Note: Departure at least 14 days after last dose
Qatar
Recognized vaccines for inbound travelers.
(Info from Philippine embassy in Doha)
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- AstraZeneca
- Moderna
- Johnson & Johnson
- Sinopharm (“conditionally approved”)
Can enter but will undergo RT-PCR test and quarantine:
- All other vaccines.
These are just a few of the countries which require certain vaccine brands for now. No worries, the others don’t have these specifications. They just have the usual protocols of negative COVID-19 test results and quarantine periods.
This article will be updated as changes and list expansion may occur in the future.
