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/

I had my first in early March, not one of those batch numbers tho. Both mine started with batch PV I assume the uk made one.

I hope this is sorted quickly for everyone who had those batches . What another kick in the teeth!

@TooManyPlatesInMotion

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

The batch numbers are also in the NHS app where you have the vaccine information for travel.

@Blessex

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

The US said they'll accept any WHO approved jab, although travellers from EU and UK still can't go there yet jab or no jab.

The Bruce Springsteen thing was sorted fairly quickly, they also accepted any WHO vaccine.

Another stupid EU decision

Sorry to derail a bit - but the USA is now recognising AZ to travel there ? God who would have thought there would be vaccine barriers. The world needs to get its shit together.

My mid March batch number is recorded as AZ PV46669 which didn't seem to match the pattern listed?!

@cathyandclare ah cross posts. Thanks! Yes seems EU red tape strikes again.

Me too. I’m in one of these batches. Got min first jab middle match in huge London jabbing centre. I had zero side effects but I now have worry anxiety anger regret etc. Happy I’ve been vaccinated but this is a wrinkle I didn’t expect !!! FFS.

I’m sure this will prove to be one of those 48 hour press scaremongery Covid stories that all gets resolved without fuss (I hope so as I have one of those batch numbers!) 😂

No way the likes of Greece/Spain will be limiting British tourists

This is just a regulatory hiccup. It's the price you pay for having a gold standard safety regime ! I'm glad to be able to live here.

twisique I’m also hoping autumn booster will override this problem.

@ColettesEarrings

My mid March batch number is recorded as AZ PV46669 which didn't seem to match the pattern listed?!

Yes the batch codes have lots of different patterns - my second one was totally different. The three which don’t have EMA approvals all came from the same factory which is why they have the same format.

Mine was in March but checked and not one of those numbers! phew

@Grellbunt it’s nothing to do with ‘gold standard safety’ and everything to do with EU red tape.

Maybe it will get a mention when Boris meets Angela Merkel for talks about Europe today

My first was was the 3rd week of March and is one of them too.....

[quote Heyelp]@Grellbunt it’s nothing to do with ‘gold standard safety’ and everything to do with EU red tape.[/quote]
Well your "red tape" is my "careful checking", so you crack on.

@ToomanyPlatesInMotion you can check the batch in the APP

@Heyelp they never didn't. It was sensationalist and alarmist reporting based on the decision of one concert venue which was quickly reversed

As an aside these batches must be huge, I mistakenly thought they were probably in their 1000s not millions for amount in batch

@Grellbunt you are implying there is something lesser about the vaccine made in India. Not helpful. Its the same vaccine. It’s red tape.

Mine is one of those too.
One of my DC has had the Sinopharm vaccine and that’s not approved by the EU - ironic as she had both vaccines in a EU country.

Spain and Greece say its ok.

www.spth.gob.es/faq?tab=2

Covidshield (Indian AZ) is approved by WHO. Lots of EU countries accept it. List here:

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

[quote Heyelp]@Grellbunt you are implying there is something lesser about the vaccine made in India. Not helpful. Its the same vaccine. It’s red tape.[/quote]
If the Indian sites haven't had approval yet then it means they haven't undergone the requisite checks yet. Maybe there is something "lesser" about the factory or the process - that's the whole point of the checks that are needed to get the approval. If in due course they pass the checks, which they probably will, then great.

"Well your "red tape" is my "careful checking", so you crack on"

I think I. This one it is red tape, as it's all to do with whether and when the licence was applied for.

And absolutely nothing to do with issues on either the safety of the vaccine or the standards of manufacture. India manufactures many of the drugs supplied to Europe (both EU and non-EU). It's an admin issue.

And one that could have a rather unfortunate effect for those who have had a jab that does not 'qualify' them for EU travel