French border checks for UK CoviShield batches...?
Discussion
I'm one of the 5 million in the UK who's first Covid vaccine jab was from one of the Indian manufactured batches (4120Z001, 4120Z002 and 4120Z003). As things stand, I have everything in place (ferry, accommodation, tickets) to be able to attend the race, BUT I don't know if 'The Great Escape' is really on, because my NHS vaccination passport has a CoviShield batch number, even if it shows the European manufactured brand name (Vaxzevria) and not CoviShield on it.
Has anyone on here themselves, or know anyone who has, had experience of crossing the Channel into France recently with a CoviShield batch number on their proof of vaccination?
It would be very useful to know people's experiences with this going forward, especially as President Macron announced on Monday that the French were reinforcing their border controls for countries of concern (with UK, Spain and Portugal specifically mentioned by a health spokesman subsequently) to know if it's going to be an issue at French border control and potentially also getting into the circuit each day as well as shopping centres, bars and restaurants.
Thank you!
Has anyone on here themselves, or know anyone who has, had experience of crossing the Channel into France recently with a CoviShield batch number on their proof of vaccination?
It would be very useful to know people's experiences with this going forward, especially as President Macron announced on Monday that the French were reinforcing their border controls for countries of concern (with UK, Spain and Portugal specifically mentioned by a health spokesman subsequently) to know if it's going to be an issue at French border control and potentially also getting into the circuit each day as well as shopping centres, bars and restaurants.
Thank you!
You have a Serum Institute batch number, not a Covishield one.
One of my doses was a Serum Institute one and, yes, it's not currently licensed by the EMA. But it's not Covishield, because although the Serum Institute manufactures Covishield, the UK didn't get any.
I believe the distincton is important, because this whole area is surrounded in confusion and misinformation.
One of my doses was a Serum Institute one and, yes, it's not currently licensed by the EMA. But it's not Covishield, because although the Serum Institute manufactures Covishield, the UK didn't get any.
I believe the distincton is important, because this whole area is surrounded in confusion and misinformation.
Agreed, but although I may be technically incorrect, it makes no difference in the context of what I'm asking, because the only thing that really matters, surely, is how the French handle arrivals at their borders (and elsewhere where proof of full vaccination is necessary) displaying these SII manufactured vaccine batch numbers.
Galand said:
Agreed, but although I may be technically incorrect, it makes no difference in the context of what I'm asking, because the only thing that really matters, surely, is how the French handle arrivals at their borders (and elsewhere where proof of full vaccination is necessary) displaying these SII manufactured vaccine batch numbers.
I know, but as I said, I think the distinction is important, because this is going to get murkier before it's over. 
This thread prompted me to check my batch of AZ - bugger.
What is the latest on this formally from government agencies? I can't find much apart from news articles from earlier in July.
My second jab was Pfizer, making things even cloudier as I can't get event passes due to failings with the NHS app (although records are correct and I can get a travel pass - which won't be accepted everywhere due to the batch no..)
What is the latest on this formally from government agencies? I can't find much apart from news articles from earlier in July.
My second jab was Pfizer, making things even cloudier as I can't get event passes due to failings with the NHS app (although records are correct and I can get a travel pass - which won't be accepted everywhere due to the batch no..)
It seems that if you received your first AZ jab in March that there's a good chance you were administered vaccine from one of the of Indian manufactured batches.
The British government say it's not CoviShield, but Europe is treating it as if it is. The official French line is that if you've received a vaccine from one of the Indian made batches of AZ then you are not fully vaccinated, because they are refusing to recognise it as being the same as the European manufactured AZ vaccine.
The British government say it's not CoviShield, but Europe is treating it as if it is. The official French line is that if you've received a vaccine from one of the Indian made batches of AZ then you are not fully vaccinated, because they are refusing to recognise it as being the same as the European manufactured AZ vaccine.
I'm surprised that this is not making more mainstream news.
Both myself and my g/f had one of the Indian batches. She's Polish, and has a flight booked to fly back for a few days mid-August - but isn't sure whether she'll be able to or not (or whether she'd be forced to quarantine which makes the trip pointless anyway).
Both myself and my g/f had one of the Indian batches. She's Polish, and has a flight booked to fly back for a few days mid-August - but isn't sure whether she'll be able to or not (or whether she'd be forced to quarantine which makes the trip pointless anyway).
More digging (source is various online newspaper articles) suggest that the Serum Institute of India did not apply to the European Medicines Agency for the necessary approvals and even now I can find nothing to say they have done so.
Not speculating as to why the SII haven't applied, although there are obvious reasons, and not saying it's not identical to the other licenses AZ producers outputs, but f
ks travel for many.
The internet (again always a great source) suggests that some EU countries do recognise it and will let you in, including Spain and Germany, but any country that does not specifically allow it does not have to unless/until the EMA approval is applied for and granted. France is one of these so land travel into Europe is especially fked.
Not speculating as to why the SII haven't applied, although there are obvious reasons, and not saying it's not identical to the other licenses AZ producers outputs, but f
ks travel for many.The internet (again always a great source) suggests that some EU countries do recognise it and will let you in, including Spain and Germany, but any country that does not specifically allow it does not have to unless/until the EMA approval is applied for and granted. France is one of these so land travel into Europe is especially f
ked.Edited by boombang on Wednesday 14th July 13:03
boombang said:
More digging (source is various online newspaper articles) suggest that the Serum Institute of India did not apply to the European Medicines Agency for the necessary approvals and even now I can find nothing to say they have done so.
Not speculating as to why the SII haven't applied, although there are obvious reasons, and not saying it's not identical to the other licenses AZ producers outputs, but fks travel for many.
The internet (again always a great source) suggests that some EU countries do recognise it and will let you in, including Spain and Germany, but any country that does not specifically allow it does not have to unless/until the EMA approval is applied for and granted. France is one of these so land travel into Europe is especially fked.
The reason the Serum Institute didn't apply for EMA approval is that they didn't sell any doses to the EU. Only the UK, and we're no longer coverd by the EMA because of Brexit.Not speculating as to why the SII haven't applied, although there are obvious reasons, and not saying it's not identical to the other licenses AZ producers outputs, but f
ks travel for many.The internet (again always a great source) suggests that some EU countries do recognise it and will let you in, including Spain and Germany, but any country that does not specifically allow it does not have to unless/until the EMA approval is applied for and granted. France is one of these so land travel into Europe is especially f
ked.Edited by boombang on Wednesday 14th July 13:03
It seems to me that the EMA will come under pressure to approve it because of the adverse effects on tourism if they don't.
Refusing approval will stick to the Brexiteers, and whilst I think that in itsel is a very good thing. this is not a time for political point-scoring when every country needs an economic boost.
Edited by Doofus on Wednesday 14th July 13:08
Doofus said:
The reason the Serum Institute didn't apply for EMA approval is that they didn't sell any doses to the EU. Only the UK, and we're no longer coverd by the EMA because of Brexit.
Sure that makes sense, but the SII claiming they were approaching EMA for this back in June then the EMA reportedly confirming in the last couple of day they haven't is more than interesting, slightly concerning and very frustrating.boombang said:
Sure that makes sense, but the SII claiming they were approaching EMA for this back in June then the EMA reportedly confirming in the last couple of day they haven't is more than interesting, slightly concerning and very frustrating.
Agreed. We're due to go to France in early August, and I'm wondering if I can buy a blank vaccination card online... 
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