London, November 9 (BNA): Britain said it will recognize COVID-19 vaccines on the World Health Organization’s emergency use list later this month, adding China’s Sinovac (SVAO) and India’s Sinopharm and Covaxin to the list of approved vaccines in the country. for arriving travelers.
“Starting at 4 a.m. on Monday, November 22, the government will recognize vaccines on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use List (WHO EUL),” the government said.
As a result, Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin will be added to the list of approved vaccines for domestic travel. The United States also recognizes the vaccines in the WHO End User License Agreement for Domestic Travel.
“Passengers who have been fully vaccinated and have received their vaccination certificate from one of over 135 countries and territories are not required to take a pre-departure test, day eight test, or self-isolate upon arrival. Instead, passengers will only need to pay for the lateral flow test. Before the end of the second day, after arrival.
“Beginning at 4 a.m. on Monday, November 22, we will learn about the following vaccines: Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covishield), Moderna and Janssen (J&J), WHO EUL including Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin.
It comes as the government is simplifying travel rules for all people under 18 coming into England who will be treated as fully vaccinated at the border and will be exempt from requirements for self-isolation on arrival, day-eight testing and pre-departure testing. They will only be required to take one test after arrival and a free, confirmatory PCR test if the test result is positive.”
“As we continue to recover from the pandemic and expand our recognition of international vaccines, today’s announcements represent the next step in resuming international travel,” Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps said.
“By simplifying the rules for international travel for all people under the age of 18 coming to England, we are providing more good news for families looking to unite with loved ones, and another great boost to the travel sector.”
Health and Social Care Minister Sajid Javid said the announcement “is another step forward for the travel industry, businesses and for family and friends wishing to reunite or travel abroad”.
“The Red List and the quarantine system are still vital in protecting our borders and as we have said, we will not hesitate to take measures by adding countries to the Red List, if necessary,” he said.
In its statement, the government said it was keeping its border measures under review, including the red list, and would impose restrictions if there was a need to do so to protect public health.
“WHO procedures for maximum permitted examinations were implemented during the 2014 Ebola outbreak to assess vaccines for use and to support countries in obtaining vaccines (and other selected products) during public health emergencies. Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin are in place,” the statement said. Covered by the expansion of the WHO End User License Agreement, approximately 1 billion doses of these vaccines have been delivered worldwide.
“The news comes on the heels of the recent removal of all countries and territories from the Red List, although the managed quarantine policy remains in place and we will continue to review the Red List every 3 weeks.”