In a significant endorsement for the indigenously developed COVID vaccine, Covaxin, German Ambassador to India, Walter J Lindner on Sunday (October 3) said that his country would take the next step regarding Covaxin as soon as World Health Organization (WHO) would recognise the Bharat Biotech developed the anti-COVID vaccine.
The envoy himself has taken Serum Institute’s Covishield vaccine and said any Indian who has taken Covishield vaccine is recognised in Germany and the beneficiary will not face any issue.
When the German ambassador was asked regarding the ongoing India_UK tussle on recognition of the Covishield beneficiary, the envoy told ANI,” No, I don’t know exactly what’s the specification why the UK is not recognising (Covishield), which comes from India. We recognised Covishield weeks ago. I myself administered with Covishield here in a public hospital. And so whoever comes with a Covishield vaccination, doesn’t have to face any restriction.”
The German envoy was also very categorical when said once the Indian vaccine is WHO, then they will take the next step. “But so far it’s not recognised means that those people who travel with Covaxin would have to come into quarantine. But after a few days, they can get a check and see whether they can leave the quarantine.”
The German government has not issued new travel rules and said that people who have been vaccinated with Covaxin or any other vaccine that is not recognised would have to produce a Covid-19 negative test report to enter the country.
After India decided to impose reciprocal measures on British nationals, the UK has said it is “continuing to engage” with India on technical cooperation to expand its recognition of vaccine certification. UK nationals arriving in the country from Britain will now have to undergo mandatory quarantine from today (October 4) at home or in the destination address for 10 days after their arrival.
The decision was made after the UK announced new travel rules under which Indian travellers who have been vaccinated by the same Covishield vaccine, were considered unvaccinated.
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