The European Union did not to include the Indian-made Covishield vaccine – a locally produced copy of the AstraZeneca shot – in its vaccine passport program.
On Monday, Adar Poonawalla, the head of the Serum Institute of India (SII) said <https://twitter.com/adarpoonawalla/status/1409382675748515841> the European Medicines Agency (EMA) had elected to exclude Covishield in the list of vaccines sanctioned within the EU scheme. The program, which, from July 1, opens European borders to people who have been inoculated with approved EU vaccines, includes AstraZeneca’s vaccines produced in the EU and the UK but not the identical version made by the SII, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. The list also includes the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson shots. There may be fear or doubts in the minds of Europeans as to whether the vaccine may contain cow urine or some other unauthorised substance. Or there may be doubts about the procedures used. India has no great scientific reputation and the uneducated Government leaders like Modi with his flowing beard hardly inspire confidence in foreigners. A few weeks ago, a new book by the former head of Doon School, Dehra, now based at a Singapore University, claimed that China cannot regard India as an equal because of its limited achievements and chaotic culture.
Eddie
