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Coronavirus pandemic

EU citizens getting COVID-19 jabs in Russia can face issues with certificates — official

The spokesperson for the European Commission replied to a question about vaccine tourism that is becoming more and more popular in Europe, with its main destination being Russia

© Peter Kovalev/TASS

BRUSSELS, April 19. /TASS/. European Union citizens who travel to Russia and other countries to get a coronavirus jab can later face problems with being issued vaccination certificates in the EU, Eric Mamer, spokesperson for the European Commission, told a briefing Monday when asked a question about vaccine tourism that is becoming more and more popular in Europe, with its main destination being Russia.

Read also

Hungary’s National Public Health Center approves use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine

"The European Commission and the member states are working on the green digital certificate which will be based primarily on EMA-authorized vaccines with all other vaccines being left open to discussions of member states. So, if you then want to travel within Europe when the digital green certificate comes into force, it is to your benefit if you <…> stuck around and receive an EMA-approved vaccine," he said. Therefore, the commission warned that vaccine tourists can be rejected any bonuses that inoculation in the EU will bring.

Read also

Sputnik V is the only Russian vaccine undergoing EU review — European Medicines Agency

However, Mamer acknowledged that according to the draft document of the European Commission the vaccines that are not authorized by the EMA (European Medicines Agency) can be included in the green digital certificate only by decisions of separate member states, and this decision will only enter into force in these respective member states. It is expected that this certificate will simplify transborder movement, while access to some services currently shut down in most European countries due to Covid lockdowns will be eased.

Currently, the EU uses four vaccines to inoculate its citizens: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. However, some EU members halted the use of the AstraZeneca jab due to dangerous complications, while Johnson & Johnson temporarily stopped supplies to the EU on April 13 also due to possible fatal side effects. Russia’s Sputnik V is currently under the EMA’s rolling review. However, the agency is engaged in standard-speed authorization process regarding the Russian jab, while the EU struck deals with Western pharmaceutical companies to pre-order doses in 2020. Their vaccines were certified by the EMA under a fast-track procedure.

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Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

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Russian-Kazakh commission discusses border demarcation issues

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Calls for joint use of nuclear weapons with US dangerous — ICAN

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Mexicans, Colombians recruited in US jails to be deployed in Ukraine — SVR

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FSB raids terrorist cell in Dagestan that funded, armed Crocus City Hall attackers

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US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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Top Russian security official praises Republika Srpska’s principled position on Ukraine

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Baku cannot turn blind eye to France, India, Greece arming Armenia — President Aliyev

"If we see a serious threat to us, we will have to take serious measures," the Azerbaijani President warned

Russian Aerospace Forces strike five militant hideouts in Syria’s Homs

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Senior Russian diplomat warns about proportional response to threats coming from Finland

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, many of such measures have already been announced

Speakers of EU parliaments back idea of creating rapid response forces

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Russian army controls 20 communities in Kharkov Region — official

Vitaly Ganchev also stated that the rest of the communities that had been under the control of Russian forces earlier would be systematically liberated

US Abrams tanks, Bradley APCs unloaded in Greece — report

The website underscores the great importance of the port of Alexandroupolis for the US and NATO

Lavrov states West’s growing concern about BRICS plans to develop own financial tools

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Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

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Builders from Azerbaijan participate in BAM upgrade — Putin

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Value of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland drops to $6.36 bln over the year

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

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Conflict in Ukraine can be over by end of 2025, Hungary’s Orban believes

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Gaza settlement crucial for Islamic world, Erdogan believes

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