EU may not allow those vaccinated with certain AZ batch numbers travel

[Ilovemypyjamas2021]

How likely is it that this will happen? Panicking slightly as I’m one of those who’s first vaccine was from one of these batch numbers & I travel to the EU for work a lot never mind seeing my family overseas in the EU
www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/eu-vaccine-passport-excludes-5m-britons-given-indian-made-astrazeneca/

What, why? They are the same vaccine. This makes no sense.

This does sound a little bit um…discriminatory? I was going to use a more serious word there but I stopped myself. But, like, this does seem like it will disadvantage some particular groups.

I think it is the ones from around March, mine was March and one of these nos.

I've just seen this and checked my numbers - my first one is one of this batch. Reading the article in the Mail this morning says that a number of EU countries are disregarding this. Hope so as we are due to go to Greece in August, although they are one of the countries who have said that they will accept people with this vaccine regardless.

The Telegraph article is behind a paywall - can anyone post a link that anyone can open, or list the (possibly) affected batch numbers?

Batch numbers:

4120Z001, 4120Z002, 4120Z003

@RoseAndRose yes of course - not sure why i was able to read it as I don’t pay the subscription for the Telegraph
[Up to five million doses of this version of the vaccine have been administered in the UK and are identifiable by the vaccine batch numbers (4120Z001, 4120Z002, 4120Z003) included on recipients’ vaccine cards and in the Covid travel pass available via the NHS app.]

Why,what's wrong with that batch?

@NeedWineNow - I hope so, fingers crossed.. hope you manage to go on your holiday - we’ve had ours cancelled to Greece this year

@Humpthree a little more of the article here…

[Up to five million Britons face being locked out of European holidays because their vaccines are not recognised by the EU's passport scheme, the Telegraph has learned.

Millions of vaccines administered here do not qualify for the European Union’s vaccine passport scheme, because the shots were manufactured in India and are not yet authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).]

@Humpthree

Why,what's wrong with that batch?

I think they were made by a different manufacturer under a different "brand name" which has not been approved for use. So its a technicality rather than an issue with the vaccine itself

@Humpthree

Why,what's wrong with that batch?

There's nothing wrong with the batch, they were just made by the Serum Institute of India who haven't applied for an EMA licence, because they don't supply there.

I had one too and I know lots of Canadians were vaccinated with doses from SII.

@RoseAndRose

The Telegraph article is behind a paywall - can anyone post a link that anyone can open, or list the (possibly) affected batch numbers?

@RoseAndRose I can't link on my tablet but have a look in the Mail, that lists them. Mine was in March, the same as @LightasaBreeze. The problem seems to be that the Euopean Medicines Agency does not recognise the vaccine manufactured in India, even though they themselves say it is no different from the one manufactured in Europe. They also say that the Indian manufacturers didn't apply for a EMA licence (I think).

I'm hoping this will be a storm in a teacup. After the year we've had I really cannot see countries which heavily rely on tourism, particularly British tourism, doing anything which will theoretically stop people travelling as soon as they are able to.

I'm sure they'll sort it out eventually. And most countries will disregard it anyway.

It sounds similar to what was reported about the US not recognising the AZ vaccine.

DH and I both had one of those AZ batches for our first jabs in mid March. I'm guessing that most people affected would be in their mid-50's.

Fortunately for us we've no plans to go to Europe this Summer, so it won't really affect us. A fair few countries in Europe have decided that it doesn't matter - double-vaxxed welcome - hopefully the others will see sense too.

I think I am more annoyed that Israel has 1 million Pfizer jabs about to expire that they offered to the UK and we turned them down!

Boris hopefully had one of these as he had his in mid March iirc

@LightasaBreeze

If we have booster shots in the autumn/winter it wont matter I would think.

It'll be fine for Brits as countries will set their own requirements anyway, but really discriminatory for a lot of other countries.

Ffs. It really is one thing after another... Heading home to check batch numbers.

Does the US recognise the AZ vaccine now? This pandemic is the gift that keeps on giving.

Greece have apparently confirmed they have no problem with people who have received those batches

I've just been researching this as I also had one of these for my first dose and am planning a holiday to Spain. There are 9 EU countries so far who have confirmed they will accept these vaccines, including Spain and Greece... will try to link the article... To be sure, check the entry requirements for the country you are planning to travel to and if it says they accept vaccines approved by WHO as well as those approved by EU then it's all goo and they will accept this vaccine.

www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/fact-check-are-9-eu-countries-accepting-covishield-vaccines-for-travel-in-spite-of-eus-decision-not-to/