MEA’s ‘reciprocal’ caution works: Nine EU countries give nod to Covishield

Austria, Germany, Greece, and Spain are among the nine European nations that have accepted Covishield vaccines for travel to their countries.

Notably, this clearance from these countries including, Slovenia, Iceland, and, Ireland came within 24-36 hours after the Ministry of External Affairs has “conveyed to the EU Member States that India will institute a reciprocal policy to recognize the EU Digital Covid Certificate.”

It could be termed as a success of the Moditva phenomenon in diplomacy.

Thus in terms of results, it came quickly at the international level because, in normal circumstances, these take time at the diplomatic level.

Separately, Estonia has confirmed that it will recognize all the vaccines approved by the Government of India for Indians to travel.

As it is now, the European Union’s Digital Covid certificate or Green Pass has come into effect from July 1, Thursday, to facilitate free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under this framework, sources said, persons who have taken vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be exempted from travel restrictions within the EU region.

The individual member states have been given the freedom to approve vaccines that received approval at the national level or bodies recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The EU Digital Covid certificate or Green Pass is mandatory to travel to European countries, and the document will be a proof that an individual received vaccination against COVID-19.

Sources also said the Ministry had also requested the EU Member States to individually consider extending the similar exemption to those persons who have taken Covid-19 vaccines in India that is Covishield and Covaxin, and accept the vaccination certificate issued through the Cowin portal.

“The genuineness of such vaccination certification can be authenticated on the Cowin portal,” sources said.

The BJP has hailed the development and termed it a victory of the diplomacy of the Modi government.

Adar Poonawala, CEO of Serum India Institute, has recently taken up the issue to the higher levels of the government, regulators, and diplomats to resolve difficulties with individuals who are vaccinated with Covishield and are having difficulty traveling to Europe.

“I realize 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 on June 28.

It has been reported that travelers 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 was not recognized by the European Medicines Agency yet. However, the Vaxzevria version of the AstraZeneca shot produced in the UK or other sites around Europe was approved.