It is hard to imagine how much more bungling there could be in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially and largely by the Federal Government, but this one takes the cake.
According to a 9News.com.au report, Australians vaccinated with the AstraZeneca jab face potential problems visiting Europe, thanks to a quirk in the European Union’s vaccine approval process.
It appears that despite the Aussie-made vaccine being identical to those made in Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK, it’s not technically authorised in Europe because AstraZeneca hasn’t registered CSL’s Melbourne facility with the European drugs regulator.
Amazingly, facilities in the USA, Korea and even China have all been registered but the European Medicines Agency has confirmed the labs pumping out millions of doses in India and Australia and in this case, in an unbelievable bungle, Melbourne’s CSL facility used to make AstraZeneca in Australia has not been registered with the European Medicines Agency.
This has left 5 million Brits and millions of others vaccinated with the Indian-made vaccine, in India and throughout Africa, facing uncertainty and 9News.com.au has confirmed that Australians vaccinated with AstraZeneca are in the same boat.
The report says that the EU’s COVID-19 certificate allows EU residents to move freely in the 27-nation bloc as long as they have been vaccinated with one of the four shots authorised by the EMA, have a fresh negative test, or have proof they recently recovered from the virus.
But European Commission spokesman for health, food safety and transport Stefan De Keersmaecker said countries were not required to issue certificates for vaccines not authorised on their territory, adding, “When it comes to the EU Digital Certificate, there are two possible ways of recognising certificates for travellers from abroad.”
He added, “First, where the national health system allows for it, member states may issue an EU Digital COVID certificate on a case by case basis for persons vaccinated in a third country with a vaccine that has been authorised in the EU or that has been listed by the WHO for emergency use” and, “”It is for member states to verify if the holder presents reliable proof of such a vaccination.”
Global Travel Media has asked the Federal Government Minister for Health for comments but none was received by the time of this eNews being distributed.
We will keep you appraised about this incredible additional bungle, which as an Astra Zeneca vaccinated person none of us needed.
A report from 9News.com.au and opinion by John Alwyn-Jones, Special Correspondent Travel and Tourism, Global Travel Media
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