India had pressed EU to include Covishield and Covaxin in the list of vaccines that qualify for the grouping’s Digital Covid Certificate. Recognition of the India-made vaccines would be reciprocated and holders of the EU inoculation pass will be exempted from mandatory quarantine, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) is said to have conveyed on Wednesday.
The EU Digital Covid Certificate or Green Pass framework will facilitate free movement among member states from Thursday. Under this, those inoculated with vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be exempted from travel curbs within the EU. Individual member states can also accept vaccines authorised at the national level or by the World Health Organization, EU sources had told ET on Tuesday.
India, which had raised the issue with the EMA and France, had also asked EU member states to individually consider extending similar exemptions to those who have had Covishield and Covaxin jabs.
African Union also raises concerns
India had also asked EU states to accept the vaccination certificate issued through the CoWIN portal.
Restrictions are currently in place on non-essential travel to the EU from elsewhere, including India, due to Covid. EU member states will lift these curbs depending on the situation.
The African Union Commission and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have also expressed concern over the list of Covid-19 vaccines that qualify for the Green Pass.
“Under such regulations, persons who received Covishield, despite being able to demonstrate proof of vaccination, would continue to be subject to public health restrictions, including limitations of movement and testing requirements, with considerable administrative and financial implications,” according to the…