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    Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. EPA
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Covishield accepted for travel to Dubai for UAE residents stuck in India


Gillian Duncan
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The Covishield vaccine has been accepted for people travelling from India to Dubai, authorities have confirmed.

UAE residents stranded in India are rushing to book tickets to return to the emirate after authorities said flights would resume on Wednesday.

That has led to some confusion over whether Covishield, an Indian-produced version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be accepted for travel.

That has led to some confusion over whether Covishield, an Indian-produced version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be accepted for travel.

owever, only passengers with a valid residence visa, who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine are allowed to travel to the emirate.

That has led to some confusion over whether Covishield, an Indian-produced version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be accepted for travel.

The UAE has approved four vaccines for use: Sinopharm, Pfizer-​BioNTech, Sputnik V and AstraZeneca.


“I urge UAE government/health officials to clarify on the consideration of Indian #COVISHIELD over #AstraZeneca under approved vaccines list,” wrote one Twitter user, saying the issue had led to “huge confusion” in India.

The Dubai Health Authority has replied to several users to confirm Covishield was accepted.

“Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine and COVISHIELD are the same vaccine,” the DHA said.

Covishield is manufactured under licence by the Serum Institute of India.

Production of the vaccine began last year, after the institute received a vial from the University of Oxford containing the cellular material for the drug in May.

Before clinical trials were even completed, it was making around 5,000 doses per minute.

The vaccine subsequently received emergency approval by regulators in India.

Updated: April 25, 2023, 5:02 AM