Check your vaccine batch before travel

My wife and I were considering travelling to Europe, until I read an article about a batch of Astrazenica vaccine doses, manufactured in India, not being authorised by the European Medical Agency.

About five million of them have been put into people’s arms here in the UK. The batch numbers affected are Astrazenica 4120Z001, 4120Z002 and 4120Z003. Worryingly, my first dose was one of them. So, I subsequently contacted both my local MP, Justin Tomlinson, and the EMA about my concerns.

My MP said it shouldn’t be a problem and that the Government were looking to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

However, the EMA confirmed that the specific batch numbers had not been authorised by them. They did not suggest for one minute that they aren’t safe but, rather it’s because they were made in India.

My wife has had two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. I’ve since had my second Astrazeneca dose. When I asked my MP and the EMA about the possibility of being denied entry to any one of the EU member states, my MP again said it shouldn’t be a problem. Not a convincing reply to say the least. The EMA said, quite rightly so, that they couldn’t comment for individual countries’ border controls.

Either way, there is a possibility that should we travel, my wife would be allowed in, but I may be denied entry. Apparently, the Government are trying to come to an agreement with the EMA to accept the India doses. But, until that happens, please be aware that if you’ve had one of them, then you may be denied entry to the country you’re visiting. It’s a nightmare and the consequences of that happening doesn’t bear thinking about. The sooner the Government and the EMA can resolve the matter, the better. So, please check your blue vaccine card, or Covid passport, before travelling.

Alan Wilson

By email