Covishield, at present, is India’s most widely used COVID-19 vaccine (File)
New Delhi:
A new travel advisory by the United Kingdom – which says people from India and some other countries will be considered “undesirable” even with two doses of AstraZeneca’s Covishield (in use as Vuxervaria) has increased the freedom of international travel during the pandemic. But the controversy has started again. .
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called the rules announced by the UK government this morning and to come into effect from October 4, “racist” and “absolutely bizarre”.
He tweeted, “Absolutely bizarre considering Covishield was originally developed in the UK and Serum Institute, Pune has supplied to that country as well. It smacks of racism.”
Absolutely odd considering that Covishield was originally developed in the UK and Serum Institute, Pune has supplied that country as well! This smacks of racism. https://t.co/GtKOzMgydf
— jairam ramesh (@jairam_ramesh) September 20, 2021
New rules show Britain’s decision to cancel its ‘Amber’ list from 4 october
India is currently on that list, as is Pakistan (since Wednesday), but has not been moved to the expanded ‘green’ list – countries whose vaccines are recognized by the UK.
Therefore, as of 4 October, travelers have not been vaccinated under “approved programs in the UK (and abroad in the UK), Europe or the US”. Will have to self-quarantine for 10 days, plus pay for two COVID tests.
They can pay for an initial test to be released from the quarantine.
These rules do not cover countries – such as Australia, Bahrain, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Korea – where the AstraZeneca vaccine (which is produced and sold as Covishield in India) is in use.
The new system is expected to remain in place for at least a year, the new agency PTI reported, with the next review only scheduled for early 2022.
The AstraZeneca jab is manufactured and sold in India as Covishield (File)
The advisory is of particular concern to India, where Covishield is the most widely used vaccine and its non-recognition by the UK (despite its government using the same drug under a different name) for students, Will disrupt travel plans of tourists, businessmen and others. Vaccination in this country.
Covishield already has EUA, or Approval of Emergency Use, World Health Organization status.
Despite this, the decision of the UK government came More than a dozen European countries including France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands have approved the India-made Kovishield. Fully vaccinated (with Kovidshield) individuals are not required to return a negative COVID test to enter these countries.
There was also controversy over the acceptance of Covishield by the European Union in July.
The EMA, or the European Medicines Agency, approved Vaxazeviria, but not Covishield, warning the Indian government that This will revoke the mutual authorization for the former..
This was ahead of controversial EU plans ‘Digital Covid Certificate’‘ to “facilitate safe (and) free movement during the pandemic…”. The EU said the ‘certificate’ is proof that the holder has either been vaccinated, tested negative for coronavirus or has recovered from infection.
Similar concerns – about the West’s unequal treatment of vaccines used elsewhere – were Africa flagged by CDC in June (Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Covishield has been supplied to several African countries as part of the UN’s COVAX initiative.
With input from AFP, PTI
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