British High Commissioner, National Health Authority CEO hold ‘technical discussions’ on vax certification

New Delhi, Sep 23 (Agency) British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis on Thursday held discussions with National Health Authority CEO RS Sharma, in the backdrop of concerns being expressed over UK’s new travel advisory that recognises Covishield as an approved vaccine, but does not mention India as a country with a recognised public healthy body giving the vaccines. Ellis, in a tweet said he held “technical discussions” with Sharma adding that the certification issue was not raised. He called the discussion an important step forward.

“Excellent technical discussions with RS Sharma, National Health Authority. Neither side raised technical concerns with each other’s certification process,” Ellis said. “An important step forward in our joint aim to facilitate travel and fully protect public health of UK and India,” he said. Sharma also tweeted and said: “Echoing his excellency Alex Ellis’ views, this will be instrumental in resuming socio-economic activities between India and UK,” he said. He added that he was looking forward to deepening ties between National Health Authority and National Health System in the UK as the two sides “collaborate to build a digital continuum of healthcare services”.

The UK issued an updated travel advisory on Wednesday including AstraZeneca’s Covishield as an approved vaccine, but did not mention India as a country with a recognised public healthy body giving the vaccines. The latest advisory means that Indians will have to undergo mandatory quarantine after arrival in the UK, despite being fully vaccinated. A spokesperson of British High Commission had said on Wednesday that the two sides are to explore how to expand UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India. The Co-WIN platform designed by NHA issues the certificate of vaccination in India.