It is being said that Indians who get Covishield may have to face challenges in traveling to Europe if they do not get the approval of the European Medical Agency.
Approval for Covishield not sought from EMA (symbolic image)
The European Medical Agency has not yet received any request for the approval of Covishield. News agency ANI gave this information quoting an official of the European Union (EU). According to the report, the official said that with regard to possible EMA clearance for Kovishield, till yesterday, he has not received many requests as per the EMA.
The official said that on receipt of the request, it will be investigated, which is part of its process. He said the European Union’s ‘digital certificate’ facilitates safe movement in the region during the pandemic. It acts as a proof that the person has got the vaccine and his test report has come negative or he has recovered from the virus.
There may be difficulties in traveling to Europe
The official also said that individual member countries will have the option of accepting vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization. Kovishield has been included in the WHO emergency list. There have been several reports suggesting that people who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII) may face challenges in traveling to Europe.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Pune-based vaccine maker, said on Monday that he has taken up the issue with regulators and countries at the diplomatic level at the “highest level”. At present, only four corona vaccines have been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) – Comirnati (Pfizer/BioNtech), Moderna, Vaxgerviria (AstraZeneca-Oxford) and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).
System will start from 1st July
These vaccines can be used to issue certificates or vaccine passports on behalf of EU member states. Several EU countries have already started using this system, including Spain, Germany, Greece and Poland. It can be started from 1st July on behalf of other countries. However, it is not yet clear how much impact these certificates or ‘vaccine passports’ will have on Indian travellers, as these passports are primarily for EU citizens, but other countries can also obtain these certificates.
Also read: Lahore Blast: Blasts in the city’s Barkat Market, fires were seen rising in the sky
Also read: India’s INS Tabar reached Egypt, both navies did maritime exercises together, set an example of friendship
.