Good news for India! 15 EU countries recognise Covishield vaccine, says WHO Chief Scientist

New Delhi, July 10: World Health Organisation (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan on Friday said that the 15 countries in the European Union (EU) have now recognised the Covishield vaccine for travelers.

 

 

It should be noted that, Covishield vaccine, which was developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and is being produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII). Swaminathan's remarks come after Belgium recognised the Covishield vaccine on Friday. In a tweet, Swaminathan said, "15 countries in EU now recognise COVISHIELD for travelers."

 

 

Charge d'affaires of Belgium embassy, Arnaud Lion said that recognition of Covishield by his country will have a positive impact for everyone getting the vaccine shot in India and abroad "Belgium recognises Covishield, the Astra Zeneca vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India and distributed by COVAX. An important decision for India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh in the fight against vaccine inequality," the embassy of Belgium in India said on Friday.

 

 

With this, a total of 15 countries in the EU have confirmed that they will allow travelers from India who have taken the Covishield shots to enter their territory. Switzerland, Iceland, and some EU countries had earlier accepted Covishield for travel entry. Estonia had confirmed that it will recognise all the vaccines authorised by the Government of India for travel by Indians.

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