Skip to main content

‘No Ban on Covishield, New Certification System to Facilitate Travel Within European Union’

New Delhi: European Union Ambassador to India, Ugo Astuto, on Tuesday clarified that there is no ban in the EU on Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. He said the European Union had set up a new system of Digital Covid Certificate which was meant to facilitate travel within the European Union. Astuto told ANI in an interview that Pune-based SII has apparently not yet applied to European Medicines Agency (EMA) with a request for approval of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Asked why ‘Vaxzervria’ vaccine, also developed by AstraZeneca has been permitted in EU and not Covishield, he said every approval process must be conducted on its own merit. “Obviously these are medical sensitivities, medical experts will be better placed to respond. Every approval process of vaccine must be conducted on its own merit. No matter how close the process is, it is because vaccines are biological products so even a tiny difference in manufacturing conditions can result in differences. So each and every product needs to undergo its own scrutiny process,” Astuto told ANI.

“Based on what I read, status from European Medicines Agency (EMA), they say they have not received a request for approval of Covishield. I’m sure when they receive they will process it based on their own internal procedures. I think EMA cannot start any procedure on its own if it hasn’t received a request,” he added.

New system of Digital Covid Certificate to facilitate travel within EU

The EU Ambassador said that a new system has been put in place of the digital COVID certificate. “It is to clarify there is no banning on Covishield. We have set up in place a new system of Digital Covid Certificate which is meant to facilitate travel within the European Union. Basically, this certificate is proof that a person is vaccinated against COVID or received a negative test or recovered from COVID-19. So this is meant as a facilitator but it is not a precondition for travel. “For example, people who are not vaccinated should still be allowed to travel, subject to the usual restrictions like testing, quarantine, self-isolation measures related to COVID health policy,” he said.

He said that under the new digital COVID certificate system, EU member states can accept a vaccine that has received EU-wide approval from EMA, but the regulation of digital certificate also leaves open to member states the possibility of accepting vaccination certificates issued in relation to the vaccine that has been authorized by WHO. “That’s a relevant feature to the system,” the EU Ambassador said.

Talks on to resolve vaccine certification issue

He also confirmed that talks at the diplomatic level are also on to resolve the issue. “We always talk with our friends from the Ministry of External Affairs about all issues of common interest so this is not excluded and whenever any issue arises, together we work in a way so that outcome is satisfactory to all sides,” he said.

Covaxin, an indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, is also awaiting approval from the WHO for emergency use authorization. Covishield has been and is exported to many countries and until EMA gives approval, there will be issues faced by people in many countries. “There is a process to be followed and again I’m not best placed to tell you. That’s why we have EMA, an independent agency. I’m sure they will examine with due care any request,” the EU Ambassador said.

(Based on ANI inputs)



source https://www.india.com/news/india/no-ban-on-covishield-new-certification-system-to-facilitate-travel-within-european-union-4776887/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bigg Boss 15: Nishant Bhat Becomes New Captain, Asks Boys to do 10 Sit-ups to Apologise Bigg Boss

Bigg Boss 15: In tonight’s episode, when Bigg Boss asked the contestants Shamita Shetty, Nishant Bhat, Pratik Sehajpal, Vishal Kotian, Akasa Sing, Jay Bhanushali and Tejasswi Prakash to nominate two contestants for the captaincy task (Captainc ki race) with aapsi sehamati (mutual consent), they come to a conclusion and choose Nishant and Prateek. The rest of the contestants were asked to help whom they want to support as a captain. Tejasswi Prakash became the sanchalak of the task. The winner of the captaincy task was declared and Nishant Bhat became the new captain of the house. Bigg Boss has asked to take the rights to control the house. After the captaincy task, Nishant and Shamita discuss the decision taken and Bhat made Shetty understand to play the game by not trusting anyone, pointing out on Pratik. After a few minutes, Bigg Boss raised Kukdu Ku alarm back-to-back as most of the contestants were sleeping. Nishant took all the boys outside in the garden, near the camera and sa
Post a Comment
Read more

Heavy Rains Lash Delhi-NCR, Waterlogging in Several Parts; More Rains Predicted

New Delhi: People of Delhi and NCR woke up to heavy rains and pleasant weather on Sunday. However, waterlogging was reported in several parts of Delhi-NCR in the morning. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), thunderstorms with moderate to heavy intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi-NCR today. The IMD tweeted, “Thunderstorm with moderate to heavy intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi, NCR ( Bahadurgarh, Gurugram, Manesar, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh, Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida)” Greater Noida) Kaithal, Karnal, Rajaund, Assandh, Safidon, Panipat, Gohana, Gannaur, Sonipat, Narwana, Jind, Rohtak, Hissar, Hansi, Tosham, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Jhajjar, Loharu, Narnaul, Mahendargarh, Kosali, Farukhnagar, Bawal, Rewari, Nuh, Sohana, Hodal, Palwal (Haryana) — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) August 1, 2021 Vehicles commuting from
Post a Comment
Read more

‘No Lockdown, But…’, Karnataka CM Bommai Issues BIG Statement Amid Omicron Scare

New Delhi: Putting an end to speculations surrounding ‘lockdown’ across the state in the wake of new Omicron variant of coronavirus, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaj Bommai asserted that his government had no plans to impose shutdown-like curbs. However, based on the number of cases and scenarios in the coming days certain stringent measures might be taken, said the chief minister. “There is no question of  lockdown, as of now. Normal public life should continue”, he stated, adding that COVID norms should be followed at places where people gather. CM Bommai further assured that his government is taking utmost precautions and keeping strict vigil against the new Omicron variant of coronavirus. Curbs Tightened Across The State Meanwhile, with new clusters emerging in the state, the government has tightened curbs against the Delta variant too. The chief minister asserted that the government has to manage things at two levels to control the further spread of the pandemic. “The state g
Post a Comment
Read more