Covishield not a problem, discussions on with builders of CoWIN app: UK High Commissioner

Clarifying "distrust" over COVID-19 vaccination policy for those travelling to UK from India, British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, stated that Covishield is t "obstacle" and added that technical discussions are being held regarding certification of vaccine.

Ellis added that United Kingdom is in constant touch with builders of CoWIN app and NHS app to short out certification issues. tably, CoWIN is Indian government web portal for COVID-19 vaccination registration, owned and operated by India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is considered backbone of COVID vaccination drive in India. NHS, on or hand, is an application that allows patients to avail various National Health Service schemes in England.

"We're clear Covishield is t a problem. UK is open to travel and we're already seeing a lot of people going from India to UK, be it tourists, business people or students. Over 62,500 student visas have been issued in year ending June 2021, which is an increase of almost 30% as compared to previous year," Ellis said in a statement.

"We have been having detailed technical discussions regarding certification, with builders of CoWIN app and NHS app, about both apps. y're happening at a rapid pace, to ensure that both countries mutually recognise vaccine certificates issued by each or," added Alex Ellis.

Indians still have to follow rules set out for "n-vaccinated" travellers

It is worth ting that statement from British High Commissioner to India came after updated international travel advisory included AstraZeneca's Covishield among eligible COVID-19 vaccine formulations but kept India out of 18 countries on an approved vaccinations list.

As per advisory issued on Wednesday, Indians still have to follow rules set out for "n-vaccinated" travellers. According to updated UK vaccination certification policy, it has allowed travellers who has taken vaccine from se public health bodies- Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Dominica, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

Interestingly, during initial days of rolling out vaccination drive, United Kingdom administered AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine to its citizens. However, it has t accepted Serum Institute of India's (SII) Covishield in category of 'approved vaccine' despite kwing vaccine has been developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Meanwhile, India on Tuesday that it will be within its rights to take reciprocal measures against UK's "discriminatory" move to recognise AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine but t Covishield if issue is t satisfactorily resolved.

(With inputs from ANI, Im: ANI/PTI)