<p>Stuck in a village in southern India for nine months and unable to return to his job in Saudi Arabia, Sugathan P R is hoping the World Health Organization will approve the Indian Covid-19 shot Covaxin, paving the way for his trip back.</p>.<p>Like Sugathan, millions of Indians have taken Covaxin and many have complained of travel struggles as the vaccine has not been recognised for international travel by several countries.</p>.<p>"I cannot continue to remain idle here any further," said 57-year-old Sugathan, who returned to Pandalam village in Kerala in January to be with his family after missing his father's funeral last year when the pandemic disrupted flights.</p>.<p>"I had the option of going to Saudi and taking (additional doses of) Covishield after a four-day institutional quarantine, but I was not sure of its implications on my health," said Sugathan, referring to AstraZeneca's vaccine.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/don-t-cast-doubt-on-vaccination-says-sc-rejecting-plea-against-mass-inoculation-1044010.html" target="_blank">'Don’t cast doubt on vaccination', says SC rejecting plea against mass inoculation</a></strong></p>.<p>"If the Covaxin approval does not come, I will take the risk of going and taking a Saudi-approved vaccine," he added, sitting in his spacious two-storey house fronted by paddy fields.</p>.<p>The WHO is expected to take a final call on an emergency-use listing for Covaxin on Tuesday.</p>.<p>It has deliberated on data supplied by manufacturer Bharat Biotech since early July but has said it could not "cut corners" in making a decision.</p>.<p>Without a WHO nod, the two-dose Covaxin is unlikely to be accepted as a valid vaccine globally and would complicate travel plans for Indians who have taken it.</p>.<p>Rajan Pallivadakethil Unnunni, 59, who worked in Kuwait as a welder for two decades before flying to India late last year, has been unable to go back as Kuwait does not recognise Covaxin. He is now struggling to repay his $20,000 (Rs 15 lakh) bank loan selling chicken at a small stall in Kerala and making $4 (Rs 300) a day.</p>.<p>"If I cannot go back to Kuwait, I will not be able to repay the loan and complete the education of my children," said Rajan, seated on a plastic stool in front of his shop.</p>.<p>"I can buy a ticket to Kuwait only if the Kuwait government app shows a green signal." </p>.<p><em>($1=Rs 75.05)</em></p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Stuck in a village in southern India for nine months and unable to return to his job in Saudi Arabia, Sugathan P R is hoping the World Health Organization will approve the Indian Covid-19 shot Covaxin, paving the way for his trip back.</p>.<p>Like Sugathan, millions of Indians have taken Covaxin and many have complained of travel struggles as the vaccine has not been recognised for international travel by several countries.</p>.<p>"I cannot continue to remain idle here any further," said 57-year-old Sugathan, who returned to Pandalam village in Kerala in January to be with his family after missing his father's funeral last year when the pandemic disrupted flights.</p>.<p>"I had the option of going to Saudi and taking (additional doses of) Covishield after a four-day institutional quarantine, but I was not sure of its implications on my health," said Sugathan, referring to AstraZeneca's vaccine.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/don-t-cast-doubt-on-vaccination-says-sc-rejecting-plea-against-mass-inoculation-1044010.html" target="_blank">'Don’t cast doubt on vaccination', says SC rejecting plea against mass inoculation</a></strong></p>.<p>"If the Covaxin approval does not come, I will take the risk of going and taking a Saudi-approved vaccine," he added, sitting in his spacious two-storey house fronted by paddy fields.</p>.<p>The WHO is expected to take a final call on an emergency-use listing for Covaxin on Tuesday.</p>.<p>It has deliberated on data supplied by manufacturer Bharat Biotech since early July but has said it could not "cut corners" in making a decision.</p>.<p>Without a WHO nod, the two-dose Covaxin is unlikely to be accepted as a valid vaccine globally and would complicate travel plans for Indians who have taken it.</p>.<p>Rajan Pallivadakethil Unnunni, 59, who worked in Kuwait as a welder for two decades before flying to India late last year, has been unable to go back as Kuwait does not recognise Covaxin. He is now struggling to repay his $20,000 (Rs 15 lakh) bank loan selling chicken at a small stall in Kerala and making $4 (Rs 300) a day.</p>.<p>"If I cannot go back to Kuwait, I will not be able to repay the loan and complete the education of my children," said Rajan, seated on a plastic stool in front of his shop.</p>.<p>"I can buy a ticket to Kuwait only if the Kuwait government app shows a green signal." </p>.<p><em>($1=Rs 75.05)</em></p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>