For Indian people traveling to Europe, India has requested European Union (EU) member states to accept Covid-19 vaccinations approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or national authorities, such as Covishield and Covaxin.
People familiar with the situation said on condition of anonymity on Wednesday that the Indian side notified EU member states that it will implement a reciprocity policy in acknowledging Covid-19 vaccines for travel, and that EU nationals with the “green pass” will be exempt from mandatory quarantine only if the bloc includes vaccines administered in India in the EU Digital Covid Certificate.
The EU emphasised on Tuesday that the green card is not a requirement for travel, and that individual member states can accept WHO-approved vaccinations like Covishield. The explanation came amid worry about the green card’s potential impact on Indian people, given that the system excludes any of the vaccinations now offered in India.
From July 1, a green pass structure will be in place to allow unrestricted mobility inside the 27-member bloc during the Covid epidemic. Persons immunised with four vaccinations presently authorised by the EMA will be exempt from travel restrictions within the EU under this system.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has authorised Comirnaty, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, Spikevax, or the Moderna vaccine, and Vaxzevria, or the European version of the AstraZeneca vaccine, posing concerns for Indian travellers to Europe. The Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactures Covishield, the Indian equivalent of the AstraZeneca injection, has applied to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for approval.
“We have requested EU member states to individually consider extending exemption to travellers who have taken Covid-19 vaccines in India, such as Covishield and Covaxin, and to accept the vaccination certificate issued through the CoWIN portal,” said one of the people cited above.
The authenticity of Indian immunisation certificates may be verified via the CoWIN platform, according to the sources.
India has also informed EU member states that it will implement a reciprocal policy on the recognition of the EU Digital Covid Certificate.
During a meeting on Tuesday with Josep Borell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar brought up the subject of licencing the Covishield vaccine for travel to Europe. The two presidents met in Italy on the sidelines of a G20 conference of foreign ministers.
“A comprehensive review of our relationship with EUHR VP @JosepBorrellF. Taking forward the agenda of the Leaders’ Summit. Discussed vaccine production and access. Took up ‘Covishield’ authorisation for travel to Europe. Will be following up,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.
German ambassador Walter Lindner tweeted on Tuesday that a double dose of Covishield is “valid proof of anti-Covid vaccination” in his country. This “does not change current travel or visa restrictions for visitors from regions of concern/virus variations areas,” he noted.
The two major vaccines utilised in India’s vaccination programme are Covishield and Covaxin.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate will show that a person has been vaccinated, has a negative test result, or has recovered from Covid-19. Due of the epidemic, numerous nations, including India, have imposed temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU.
