Highlights:
- The European Union has declined Green Pass/vaccine passports to travellers who have received the Covishield vaccine, according to a recent update.
- The digital “vaccine passport” recognises the Vaxzevria version of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is produced in the UK & Europe, while EMA has not yet authorised Covishield.
- The majority of Indians have received Covishield, which is manufactured in Pune by the Serum Institute of India.
According to reports citing official rules, travellers vaccinated with Covishield, an AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine manufactured in India, may not be eligible for the European Union’s “Green Pass” — an immunisation document aimed to ease travel within and to the bloc.
The European Union had previously stated that member states could provide certificates regardless of the type of Covid-19 vaccine, but the technical specifications suggest that the pass will only be valid for “vaccines that have obtained EU-wide marketing authorization.”
Currently, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved four vaccinations for use in issuing certifications in EU member states. Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech), Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Moderna, and Vaxzervria (AstraZeneca-Oxford) are among them.
The AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccines Vaxzevria and Covishield are both AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccinations. The EMA has not yet authorised the India-made Covishield, but the Vaxzevria version of the Astrazeneca shot, which is created and manufactured in the UK or other European countries, has, according to sources.
Also Read: Now Download Aadhaar Card From Anywhere, Anytime With This UIDAI Link
The majority of Indians have gotten Covishield, which is made in Pune by the Serum Institute of India.
However, it is unknown how big an impact these certificates will have on Indian travellers. The certificate is primarily intended for EU nationals, although it is possible for citizens from other countries to receive one if they can convince officials in the EU country, they are visiting that they are eligible.
Covishield is also at the heart of the WHO’s Covax programme, which aims to ensure that vaccines are distributed fairly to low- and middle-income countries.
While the EMA has authorised these four vaccines, countries within the 27-member bloc can accept other vaccines as part of their own travel rules, according to the reports.
For months, the European Union has been working on a joint digital travel permit for people who have been vaccinated, tested, or recovered from the virus. People will be able to travel between European nations without having to quarantine or undergo further coronavirus testing thanks to the free certificates, which will include a QR code with sophisticated security features.
Spain, Germany, Greece, and Poland are among the EU countries that have already implemented the system. The rest of the country is slated to start using it on July 1st.
