There is no clarity over steps by the other EU members, as the EU has not yet taken any decision on this count.
‘Green Pass’ in nine European countries for those who Indians who have been vaccinated with the Covishield, AstraZeneca’s Indian version, came as some relief among Indians who have travel plans for some European countries after vaccination.
A recent European Union (EU) decision had put a roadblock on the Serum Institute of India (SII)-manufactured Covishield in the non-Green Pass list.
The permission by the nine countries, according to sources, is a country-to-country decision and not by the European Union headquartered in Brussels.
The EU countries which have recognised the Indian version of AstraZeneca are, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Spain
The listing of EU Member States which have recognised Covishield as a sound vaccine contains Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, and Spain. Estonia has confirmd that it’s going to recognise all of the vaccines authorised by the Government of India for travel of Indians. Non-EU member, Switzerland, too permits Covishield for Schengen state.
The listing of EU Member States which have recognised Covishield as a sound vaccine contains Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, and Spain. Estonia has confirmd that it’s going to recognise all of the vaccines authorised by the Government of India for travel of Indians.
Non-EU member, Switzerland, too permits Covishield for Schengen state.
There is no clarity over steps by the other EU members, as the EU has not yet taken any decision on this count.
The ‘Green Pass’ is required from July 1 for easy travel to and within the EU.
AstraZeneca’s version Covishield vaccine is manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) decided not to approve it for travel ‘Green Pass’, even after WHO approval for the vaccine.
Timing for this kind of restriction is critical for the Indians, particularly the Indian students. They have taken admissions in universities located in the EU and about to join the classes as and when they get a call from the respective institutions.
As per current protocol, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is approving only Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech), Moderna, Vaxzervria (AstraZeneca), and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).
Covishield, an AstraZeneca’s version is a WHO co-sponsored COVAX initiative under which Indians and citizens of low- and middle-income countries were immunised.