Madeira's Government Allows Entry to Visitors with COVID-19 Vaccines Not Approved by EU

Strategic Insights -

The regional government of Madeira, an autonomous region in Portugal, has decided to permit entry to visitors with any COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether it is approved by Europe's drug regulator or not. This move comes amidst criticism over the EU's digital COVID certificate, which currently only recognizes four vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. Madeira's decision is significant, as the region relies heavily on foreign tourism, particularly from the UK, where about five million people have received the Covishield vaccine, a version of AstraZeneca's vaccine made in India. This move is seen as a deviation from the EU's approach, and it remains to be seen how other member states will respond to Madeira's decision.

Key Takeaways:

  • Madeira's government has decided to allow entry to visitors with any COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of EU approval.
  • The region has not specified which non-EU approved vaccines will be recognized.
  • About five million people in the UK have received the Covishield vaccine, a version of AstraZeneca's vaccine made in India.
  • Covishield is recognized by the global COVAX facility but not by the EU's digital COVID certificate.
  • The region's decision is seen as a deviation from the EU's approach to COVID-19 vaccine recognition.

Statistics:

  • About 5 million people in the UK have received the Covishield vaccine.
  • The Covishield vaccine is recognized by the global COVAX facility.
  • The EU's digital COVID certificate recognizes four vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson.
  • Madeira relies heavily on foreign tourism, particularly from the UK.

Sources:

  • M2 PHARMA, Published July 5, 2021, "Madeira's government will permit visitors with COVID-19 shots not approved by EU"