Nine European countries give the nod to Covishield vaccine. This is amid the ongoing issues between India and the European Union. Seven of these nine countries are a part of the EU. Initially, Covishield could not receive the “Green Card” from the European Union countries.
The seven countries that approved the vaccine are Austria, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Estonia, Greece, and Slovenia. The other two European countries to ratify this covid vaccine are Switzerland and Iceland. Moreover, Estonia is said to accept all the vaccines used in India, including Covaxin.
The Green Card will allow easy travel for people from abroad to travel to the EU countries. The EU will start this vaccine passport program from July 1.
Earlier, EMA declined to give the Green Card to Covishield vaccine. Adar Poonawalla, the Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO, had earlier informed that he would take the matter to the highest levels. With the involvement of India’s Foreign Minister, S.Jaishankar, the issue is in control. Besides, he took to Twitter to inform that he has taken up the issue of Indian Covishield in the meeting with the EU countries.
“Accept Digital Certificate of Covishield Vaccine and Covaxin”- Indian Government to EU
Moreover, the Indian government has also asked the EU to consider the “digital certificate” of Indian vaccines. These are Covaxin and Covishield. On Wednesday, the government made it very clear that they would accept the covid digital certificate of the EU only if they reciprocate the same with the Indian vaccines.
A source from the Indian foreign ministry said, “We have conveyed to EU Member States that India will institute a reciprocal policy for recognition of the EU Digital COVID Certificate.”
“Right now, our understanding is that this certificate is meant for travel within the EU. But it could become the norm for all international travel. Nothing changes currently because most international travel is on suspension. These certificates will become important when all travel resumes. We are saying, we will accept each other’s certificates reciprocally. Why are you discriminating against our certification?,” one of the sources said.
Much in the news, Covishield is produced by Serum Institute of India. It is the Indian-made version of AstraZeneca’s Vaxzevria vaccine. While Covishield could not receive the Green Card, Vaxzevria did receive the authority of the EU countries.
The European Union vaccine passport program will now approve anyone with these five vaccines- Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, and Oxford-AstraZeneca.
