In a major development, Hungary and Serbia agreed to recognise India’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate, announced India’s Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
The announcement follows shortly after UK eased travel restrictions for fully vaccinated Indians who have received a UK-approved jab.
“Mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificate begins! India and Hungary agree to recognise each other’s COVID-19 vaccination certificate,” said the official spokesperson for the ministry.
Taking to Twitter the Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs further said, “Yet another country recognises India’s vaccination certificate! Traditional friendship with Serbia translates into mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificates.”
The Ministry further added that the mutual recognition of the COVID-19 vaccination certificate will facilitate the movement of people from one country to another for education, business, tourism, and beyond.
The announcement came a day after the United Kingdoms recognised India’s ‘COVISHIELD’ and reversed its decision of mandatory quarantine for vaccinated Indian citizens.
Announcing the decision, the British High Commissioner to India said, “No quarantine for Indian travelers to UK fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October. Thanks to the Indian government for close cooperation over last month.”
The changed guidelines came days after Delhi imposed reciprocal measures on UK nationals in retaliation for UK travel curbs on Indian citizens.
Trouble had been brewing for some time between the two countries over Covishield, the Indian version of the AstraZeneca vaccine that is identical to the doses given to millions of Britons.
The UK had earlier refused to recognise Covishield. So, fully vaccinated Indian travellers had to isolate for 10 days and take Covid-19 tests – at their own expense – before being allowed to leave quarantine.
Earlier under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, India had sent the consignment of domestically produced COVID-19 vaccines to Serbia. Whereas, Hungary was the first European Union country to approve for emergency use of the CoviShield vaccine.
COVAXIN receives GMP certificate from Hungary:
Whereas in another development, the Hungarian authorities earlier on August 5 presented India’s homegrown COVAXIN a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate.
“Another milestone in our account as COVAXIN receives GMP certificate from Hungary. This marks the 1st EUDRAGDMP compliance certificate received by Bharat Biotech from European regulatories,” said Bharat Biotech in a statement.
