African Union, disease agency want Covishield approved for EU travel certificate

By Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - The African Union (AU) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday said that the EU digital COVID-19 travel certificate would jeopardize the movement of Africans who have received vaccines not authorized by the EU.

In a joint statement, AU and Africa CDC noted that the EU travel pass would facilitate "free movement across all EU countries."

“However, the current applicability guidelines put at risk the equitable treatment of persons having received their vaccines in countries profiting from the EU-supported COVAX Facility, including the majority of the African Union (AU) member states,” the statement added.

The EU regulation that excludes the Covishield vaccine, which is produced under license by India’s Serum, has caused serious problems for travelers from the majority of African nations, according to the statement.

"Despite being able to demonstrate proof of vaccination, (travelers) would continue to be subject to public health restrictions, including limitations of movement and testing requirements," it said.

AU and Africa CDC fear that the discriminatory EU regulation would “persist indefinitely.”​​​​​​​