New Delhi: Adar Poonawala, CEO at Serum India Institute and makers of a Covid19 vaccine, on Monday said he has taken up at the "highest levels" and concerned authorities, regulators and at the diplomatic level also to resolve issues pertaining to those vaccinated with Covishield and face problems for travel to Europe.
"I realise that a lot of Indians who have taken COVISHIELD are facing issues with travel to the EU, I assure everyone, I have taken this up at the highest levels and hope to resolve this matter soon, both with regulators and at a diplomatic level with countries," Mr Poonawala tweeted.
It has been reported that travellers vaccinated with Covishield, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute in India, may not be eligible for the European Union’s Green Pass, a necessary document for easy travel.
The India-made Covishield has not been recognised by the European Medicines Agency yet, however, the Vaxzevria version of the AstraZeneca shot produced in the UK or other sites around Europe has been approved.
Such problems are being faced for travel to other countries as well.
American universities are insisting on vaccines by Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson.
At the diplomatic level, the Ministry of External Affairs has expressed hope that a "constructive solution is found".
Lately answering a question in a media briefing, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi had said, "There is no uniformity in these requirements. The US government has clarified that the vaccination is not a mandatory requirement for travelling to the US for our students. I also understand that there are multiple conversations going on between our students and the universities. We would obviously support our students".
He also said, "everyone concerned" is interested in ensuring that the students are able to reach their universities and undertake regular classes.
Some US universities want incoming foreign students to be re-vaccinated by versions of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson while some others say students need to be pre-vaccinated only by WHO-approved vaccines.
