India has asked European Union (EU) member states to accept Covid-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or national authorities, such as Covishield and Covaxin, for Indian nationals travelling to Europe, warning that if the bloc does not, it will follow a policy of reciprocity and exempt EU nationals with the “green pass” from mandatory quarantine.
The EU clarified on Tuesday that the green card is not a requirement for travel, and that individual member states can accept WHO-approved vaccines like Covishield. The clarification came amid speculation about the green card’s potential impact on Indian nationals, given that the regime excludes any of the vaccines currently administered in India.
From July 1, a green pass framework will be in place to allow free movement within the 27-member bloc during the Covid pandemic. Persons vaccinated with four vaccines currently approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be exempt from travel restrictions within the EU under this framework.
Pfizer/Comirnaty, BioNTech’s Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen, Spikevax or the Moderna vaccine, and Vaxzevria, the European version of the AstraZeneca vaccine, have all been cleared by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactures Covishield, the Indian version of the AstraZeneca shot, 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 cert
The authenticity of Indian vaccination certificates can be verified on the CoWIN portal, according to the sources.
India has also informed EU member states that it will implement a reciprocal policy regarding the recognition of the EU Digital Covid Certificate. Certificate issued through the CoWIN portal,” said one of the people cited above.
“Upon notification of Covishield and Covaxin for inclusion in the EU Digital Covid Certificate framework and recognition of Indian CoWIN vaccination certificates, Indian health authorities will reciprocally exempt travellers from the concerned EU member state carrying the green pass from mandatory quarantine,” the person said.
The two main vaccines used in India’s immunisation 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 to the pandemic, many countries, including India, have imposed temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU.
As the pandemic fades, EU member states are expected to gradually lift these restrictions at their external borders.
