IT IS estimated that thousands of those vaccinated in Brighton and Hove have had the Indian-made version of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which means they may face travel restrictions this summer.
Over five million doses of the vaccine, known elsewhere by brand name Covishield, have been bought by the UK from the Serum Institute of India as part of the order of 100 million total doses, according to the BBC.
The government has made no comment on individual vaccine supplies due to commercial and security reasons.
While there is no difference in the content, Covishield-branded vaccines are not currently recognised by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) which means it cannot be put on the digital certificate required for quarantine-free travel in EU countries.
Both have been accepted by the British regulatory body the Medicines and Healthy Regulatory Agency (MHRA) who have reportedly shared this assessment with the EU.
As it stands, travellers to EU countries with the Indian-made version of AstraZeneca will have to quarantine upon entry.
However, individual member states can grant approval and eight, including Spain and Greece, have already accepted the use of the NHS Covid Pass, where the vaccine appears as Vaxzevria.
Vaccine expert Professor Finn told BBC R4’s Today programme that people should not concerned that they are any less protected and that this “administrative hurdle” should be resolved.
“It’s clearly, ultimately not in anyone’s interest, including the European Union, to create hurdles that don’t need to be there” he said.
How to check which vaccine you received:
The jabs currently excluded from the EU scheme are: 4120Z001, 4120Z002, 4120Z003 and are written on the vaccine card received at appointments.
Alternatively, the batch number can be found via the NHS App that has been adapted to act as a digital vaccination passport.
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