PETALING JAYA: All individuals who receive Covid-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) can enter Europe, the European Union (EU) Delegation to Malaysia clarified on Wednesday (July 7).

       The clarification was issued following reports that the EU Digital Covid Certificate - which is digital proof that a person has been vaccinated against Covic-19, received a negative test result or recovered from Covid-19 - only accepts jabs approved by the EU.

       However, the digital certificate is not a prerequisite or a compulsory document for travelling in the EU, the statement explained.

       Instead, it is simply a “practical tool” to facilitate travel within the member states.

       Fully-vaccinated individuals are allowed into the EU, including those with authorised vaccines produced in facilities outside of the EU’s marketing authorisation, said the delegation.

       Its member states could also allow entry for people vaccinated with vaccines that have not yet been authorised in the EU but have completed the WHO Emergency Use Listing process.

       “There is no obstacle or hurdle. Therefore, some recent reporting concerning the AstraZeneca vaccines’ origins is inaccurate, ” it said.

       The EU Delegation to Malaysia was clarifying issues concerning vaccines following reports quoting the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as only approving AstraZeneca vaccines produced in certain countries, including among the bloc's member states, for the digital certificate.

       The EMA report said the approval did not cover AstraZeneca vaccines made by South Korea's SK Bioscience or Thailand's Siam Bioscience.

       These South Korean and Thai-made AstraZeneca vaccines are currently used in Malaysia after they arrived from the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Covax) facility and direct orders.

       The EU delegation said the 27 member states have agreed on common guidelines for non-essential travel from outside the EU but may introduce national restrictions based on their epidemiological situation.

       “Member states are free to accept the documentation issued in third countries for vaccination and these should contain information that at least allows identification of the individual, the type of vaccine and the date of the administration of the vaccine.

       “Official certificates certifying recovery from Covid-19 or a negative Covid-19 test may also serve as proof of low epidemiological risk, depending on the legislation in force of the member state Malaysians wish to visit.”

       In addition, it said it is up to the EU member states to decide the type of obligations, such as quarantine, that may be imposed on incoming travellers.

       “Nevertheless, the launch of the Covid-19 EU Digital Certificate now makes possible the formal equivalence of Covid-19 certificates between Malaysia and the EU.

       “This possibility will be explored with the competent Malaysian authorities in days to come, ” it added.

       On Monday (July 5), the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin has called for clarity on the European Union’s latest stand on vaccination for travellers.

       He said all vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) should be recognised in vaccine passport systems, as it would be “the fairest outcome.”