No request received yet for EU authorisation of Covishield vaccine
June 29, 2021 15:21And while on vaccines, a European Union (EU) official on Tuesday said that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not received any request for approval of authorisation of the COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield.
Speaking to ANI, the EU official said: "Concerning a possible EMA authorisation for Covishield, as of yesterday, the European Medicine Agency (EMA) stated that it had not received a request for approval. It will examine any such request when received, as per its procedures."
"The EMA does not investigate new drugs on its own, unless it is asked by the relevant companies," he said.
Meanwhile, the official said the member states of the bloc will gradually lift temporary travel restrictions for people from India at their external borders, based on the developments of the health situation pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Serum Institute of India (SII) has requested the government to take up the matter of inclusion of Covishield vaccine in the EU COVID-19 Vaccination Passport with the European Union and other countries, citing this will affect students and business travellers and cause severe disruptions to the Indian and global economy.
As of now none of the three vaccines being used in India are okayed by the EU, which means vaccinated Indian travellers will not be allowed in the EU.