A Complete Guide to COVID Vaccination for the International Students

Previously, we discussed India’s vaccine situation and its clashing with the goals and dreams of all the study abroad aspirants targeting a degree program in an international university. Since then, many declarations and guidelines have been altered by foreign authorities and universities.

These changes denote some relaxation and few difficulties too for the Indian students. A couple of months ago, India witnessed a severe spike in COVID cases. At the same time, there was an acute scarcity of vaccination, leading to fewer people getting their shots, especially the young population between 18-44 years. Moreover, it is not just the status of the vaccine, but the Cass XIIth results too. Now that CBSE has announced to evaluate 12th students based on class 10th & 12th grades or the final examination grades from class 10th & 11th and internal assessment grades from class 12th keep, keeping track of final result would also be essential.

When the COVID pandemic became out of control and the medical facilities were overly challenged and tested, new information seems more like a hurdle towards studying in a dream university and study destination. Various universities abroad have rolled out their guidelines based on the pandemic situation in the country. Some universities gave the required ease to the international students by allowing them to get vaccinated through the campus program when they arrive in the country.

Experts from Student Cover will discuss the different vaccine guidelines and travel information for the international students traveling to some of the significant study destinations to begin their degree programs for the Fall 2021 semester.

Vaccine Protocol for International Students

Various states in India have understood the vaccine crisis in the country. Therefore, the state government recently took the initiative to organize a vaccination program specifically for the students who have their future commitment to attend degree programs physically in the universities abroad. Maharashtra was the first state to schedule this drive in Mumbai.

The state government took it to social media to announce the particular walk-in vaccine drive for the study abroad aspirants, considering the valuable future of students that could not be compromised due to vaccine shortage. The next state to announce the vaccine drive for study abroad aspirants was Delhi. Although, the vaccine drive is continuing for the study abroad aspirants who remain to get their shot.

Moreover, other states are Telangana, Kerala, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Therefore, the state government understood the need to give preference to study abroad aspirants for vaccination. However, many students still are waiting and wondering if they would have to sacrifice an entire academic year due to the helpless situation of scarcity of vaccines.

Meanwhile, the central government has been able to relax the gap between two vaccine shots from 84 days to 28 days, especially for the students. This declaration has helped the students hope for a better future and resume their studies in universities abroad.

However, specific vaccine requirements have been circulated and informed by foreign universities and authorities to be eligible to enter the border and physically attend classes in the universities.

• Protocol for UK Universities

The UK was among the first country to roll out vaccines and begin the drive by the end of 2020. The country now expects to wind up the program by the summer of 2021. Hence, the universities in the country are and will become safe to study and live for the students and the staff members in the coming months.

Viewing the current status, UK universities have advised international students to get vaccinated from their home country. Some universities in the country organize an in-campus vaccine program to allow international students to access the vaccines. It will be part of a regular healthcare resource for the students.

• Protocol for US Universities

Since the vaccine rolled out in the US, many universities asked students from outside the country to get their vaccination done to attend their fall semester from the campus itself. The states having these universities include Columbia, Stanford, Brown, Duke, Yale, Cornell, and many more. Another information to add from a source states that the University of California specifically asked all of its international students to get themselves vaccinated before entering the premises.

However, if they fail to do so, keeping in mind the vaccine crisis in India, the students would be allowed to enter the campus. However, they would be kept under certain restrictions. Some universities had their vaccine programs, such as South Carolina University and Rutgers University, giving international students access to vaccine shots in the US.

However, the latest information retrieved says that Don Heflin, the Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs at the US embassy, announced that all the US-bound/international students would not require proof of Covid-19 vaccination to travel/enter into the US. However, the students would require to show a negative COVID test which needs to be done 72 hours before traveling.

• Protocol for Canadian Universities

Students who have their plan in place to arrive in Canada and begin their degree programs might have a few more stumbling blocks on their way. Canadian government and universities have not had any information released regarding the vaccination protocol for international students. Although, a travel restriction still seems on the line, keeping in view the terror of the second wave of COVID-19 in India.

Nevertheless, the parents are concerned about the safety of their wards; hence they are considering a fully vaccinated travel to the study destination so that there remains no chance of danger or spreading of the infection in a foreign destination. However, all international students from Indian must carry their negative RT-PCR test reports, which would depend on the university and province to keep a 15-day quarantine procedure mandatory.

Canadian Universities have made some arrangements in line for all the international students, such as offering airport pick-up, self-quarantine facilities, discounts on flight tickets, food, and more to feel comfortable settling down while following the protocol.

• Protocol for European and Australian peninsula Universities

Given the information on the official website of the Australian Government,  vaccines are available free of cost for all the international students studying in Australia. The COVID-19 vaccines in Australia are voluntary for international students in Australia.

The students are not required to carry their Medicare card to get vaccinated from a commonwealth or state vaccine clinic. However, the universities have their own requirements or guidelines conveyed to the international students pursuing their degrees in the country.

Every country, including Australia, is asking for a negative RT-PCR test report upon the arrival of the travelers/students, and the test report requires to be only three days old from the date of departure.

Let’s Wrap Up!

All these protocols are a must to know so that there is no last-minute chaos for students planning their bag packs to travel thousands of miles to pursue their dreams. Pandemic has already had millions of dreams put on hold. The Indian government can do more to make these students not sacrifice their plans for an entire year. Instead, more special vaccine drives could be arranged, giving the study abroad aspirants preferential treatment for now.

These protocols informed by the foreign universities make things clear and vivid for now and giving international students the scope to enter the destination and complete their degree programs.

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Disclaimer: This blog was written based on the personal research of the writer. Readers’ discretion is advised. Neither Student Cover nor the writer will be held liable for any wrongful interpretation of this blog’s content.