After India, African Nations Question EU Covishield, 'Vaccine Passport'

Covishield has been excluded from the European Medicines Agency's list of approved vaccines despite the EU-produced version - Vaxzervria - being included

Days after it was red-flagged in India, the European Union's decision to exclude Covishield from a list of approved Covid vaccines for a 'passport' - which will allow holders restriction-free travel in the bloc - has set alarm bells ringing in Africa, and increased debate about global vaccine inequalities. The Africa CDC (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) on Monday expressed concern over the potentially inequitable treatment of people vaccinated with Covishield - the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca-Oxford University, produced in India by the Serum Institute and distributed to African countries (among others) as part of the COVAX programme. "... guidelines put at risk the equitable treatment of persons having received vaccines in countries profiting from the EU-supported COVAX Facility, including the majority of the African Union (AU) Member States," the Africa CDC said. "Under such regulations, persons who received Covishield, despite being able to demonstrate proof of vaccination, would continue to be subject to restrictions, including limitations of movement and testing requirements, with considerable administrative and financial implications," it added.