UK nod to Covishield, but flags concerns over India's CoWIN vaccination certificates

Following a backlash from the Indian diaspora, the UK on Wednesday revised its travel advisory and approved Covishield as a qualified vaccine. However, the Indians will have to go under quarantine and get tested on arrival as the UK still does not accept CoWIN vaccination certificates.

Meanwhile, India and the UK are in talks to resolve this hurdle. Serum Institute of India’s Adar Poonawalla said he was delighted at the clearance. He added that the leaders need to address the issue of harmonising vaccine certification as a priority.

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Due to the CoWin vaccination certification issue, Indians vaccinated with two doses of Covishield would need to quarantine upon arrival.

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The UK's decision comes a day after India warned Britain of "reciprocal measures" if it does not address its concerns over the new travel advisory relating to Covid-19 vaccine certification.

The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also took up the issue with newly-appointed British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss at a meeting in New York.

Earlier, India’s foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had called the UK government’s decision to not recognise Covishield vaccine as “discriminatory".

-PTC News