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    09

    Jul 2021

    Last Updated: 08/07/2021
    Health
    Health

    Travel concerns over Indian-made AstraZeneca jabs given in Harrogate district

    by Calvin Robinson

    | 09 Jul, 2021
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    One Harrogate man who received an AstraZeneca jab manufactured in India said he would wait before booking a holiday as the EU has yet to recognise the vaccine as part of its digital passport for travel.

    harrogate-vaccine-centre-needles-4
    A nurse prepares the coronavirus vaccine at the Great Yorkshire Showground site.

    Travel concerns have been raised over Indian-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine batches which have been given out in the Harrogate district.

    The Indian version of the jab, known as Covishield and made by the Serum Institute of India, is not currently recognised by the European Union’s passport scheme.

    The vaccine conforms to medical standards but did not get the right paperwork for Europe so has thrown into doubt travel plans for millions of people across the UK.

    Tim Stokes, a caterer from Harrogate, is one of those who received the a vaccine from the Indian-manufactured batch.

    He said he received his vaccine at the Yorkshire Showground site.

    While he has not yet booked a holiday, Mr Stokes said he would think twice before looking to take a break abroad.

    He said:

    “I think we will wait and if something comes up then we will take it.”


    Mr Stokes added he was concerned that if the vaccine was not recognised then it would require him to isolate upon arrival.

    Around five million British people have had the vaccine, which has not yet been authorised by the European Medicines Agency for use on the EU Digital covid certificate.

    Some of the batches of the vaccine have been given at the Yorkshire Showground vaccination site.




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    .However, the Department of Health said vaccines given in the UK would appear as “Vaxzevria” on the NHS covid pass.

    It said:

    “The government has confirmed that no Covishield vaccines have been administered in the UK and that all AstraZeneca vaccines given in the UK appear on the NHS COVID Pass as Vaxzevria.”


    Meanwhile, other countries such as Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Ireland and Spain have already approved the Covishield vaccine for travel.

    Estonia, Switzerland and Iceland have also said they will recognise the vaccine.