Covishield gets nod from nine European countries for travel

Source: The Hindu

What is the News?

Around nine countries in Europe have given recognition to the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India.

What was the issue?

• A lot of Indian travelers who were vaccinated with Covishield were not eligible for the European Union’s ‘green pass’.
• This was because the European Union had excluded Covishield from the list of approved vaccines for the EU’s Green Pass.

Indian Government’s Response:

• The Government of India had requested the EU Member States to individually consider extending exemptions to those who have been administered Covishield or Covaxin.
• The genuineness of such vaccination certification can be authenticated on the CoWIN portal.

Which countries have now included Covishield?

• The list of the EU Member States that have recognized Covishield as a valid vaccine includes Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Spain.
• Apart from that, Switzerland which is not an EU member has also included Covishield as a valid vaccine.
• Further, Estonia has also recognised all vaccines authorised by the Indian government for travel to Estonia.

Terms to know 

• Green Pass