Thailand’s ‘mix and match’ vaccine policy creates hurdles for people travelling to UK, EU

[snoop1130]

Image: AstraZeneca vaccine, Reuters file photo

 

Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in Thailand doesn’t guarantee proof of immunity for anyone wishing to visit the EU or UK.

 

Thailand’s mix and match COVID-19 vaccination policy means that people travelling to the UK or the EU need to self-quarantine on arrival, despite being ‘vaccinated’.

 

Due to shortages with Thailand’s locally produced AstraZeneca vaccine, the government has adopted a ‘mix and match’ approach using Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines. 

 

However, ‘mix and match’ vaccines are not formally recognised by the British government or the EU.

 

In the UK, only vaccines by Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech or Janssen have been approved.

 

Since Aug 13, the UK has required all visitors who have received doses of two different COVID-19 vaccines to self quarantine for 10 days when arriving from Thailand or any other ‘amber list’ country. 

 

Quarantine can be completed at a location of choice, but tests are required on the second and eighth day of self isolation. 

 

People who fail to self quarantine or submit results of their COVID-19 tests face fines of up to £10,000, that’s even if they received a mix and match vaccine in Thailand. 

 

UK indicates it will accept Thai made AstraZeneca vaccine

 

There had also been some uncertainty regarding whether the British government would officially recognise the AstraZeneca vaccine made in Thailand.

 

However, the UK’s vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, has recently signalled that the UK will accept all versions of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

 

Two weeks ago, Mr Zahawi told a Commons debate: “By the end of this month, UK nationals who have been vaccinated overseas will be able to talk to their GP, go through what vaccine they have had, and have it registered with the NHS that they have been vaccinated.”

 

Mr Zahawi said that GPs would be required to vet people as to whether the vaccine they had received overseas was approved for use in the UK.

 

For people who are not registered with a GP in the UK, as is the case with many British expats in Thailand, Mr Zahawi also hinted that all travellers from abroad who had received vaccines authorised for use in the UK would also have their vaccinations recognised as proof of immunity and would not be required to self quarantine.

 

“We want to offer the same reciprocity as the 33 countries that recognise our [NHS] app, and that will also happen very soon,” Mr Zahawi.

 

EU still to approve Thai made AstraZeneca vaccine

 

Last week, the Thai government said the locally produced AstraZeneca vaccine is now approved by the governments of France and Germany.

 

But that is not the case for all EU member states or Schengen countries.

 

Because the vaccine has not been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), each country has set its own criteria with regards to which vaccines can be used to prove immunity. 

 

Vaccines offered by Pfizer, Moderna, Vaxzervria – AstraZeneca, Janssen – Johnson & Johnson are approved by the EMA and are accepted by all EU and Schengen Area countries

 

However, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Aug 12 said that AstraZeneca is still in the process of applying for certification with the EMA for the vaccines manufactured in Thailand.

 

It is a similar situation with the Covishield (AstraZeneca – Serum Institute of India). 

 

At the time of writing, 18 out of 27 EU countries recognised the Covishield vaccine, including France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and Netherlands.

 

Sinvoac and Sinopharm

 

For people in Thailand vaccinated with either the Sinovac and Sinopharm who wish to travel to the UK or EU, the situation is more complicated.

 

In the EU (or Schengen region), only eight countries have approved use of Sinovac: Austria, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

 

And it’s a similar situation for the Sinopharm vaccine which has been approved in Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Malta, Spain and Sweden.

 

The UK is yet to formally approve either the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine.

 

Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2021-08-18

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[ThailandRyan]

Mix and Match vaccines will cause a tenuous situation for anyone who decides to travel.  Quarantine will be the norm as well as the allowing of only vaccinated folks into certain locations including restaurants, movie theatres, bars, and many other venues in the not so distant future I am afraid.  However, that is my view, but one I have heard echoed in reports from Governments throughout the world.

[RotBenz8888]

 

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

For people in Thailand vaccinated with either the Sinovac and Sinopharm who wish to travel to the UK or EU, the situation is more complicated.

In particular if you received 1 Sinovac and 1 Astra zeneca. 

[Johnny Mac]

Mmmm, interesting. I've had 1 sinovac already, (2nd dose of AZ on he 27th) maybe a mistake? who knows. I have no plans to go to the UK soon but maybe next year. What a <deleted> world we live in now.

[Johnny Mac]

Okay, I'm gonna ask the question. If one has had a sinovac and is due for the AZ jab soon, could one not get the AZ jab and then get 2 others later? Is that dangerous, really never seen much said about this, or maybe nobody knows?

[khunpa]

The whole thing is just a complete mess worldwide.
 

One thing this Pandemic has shown us all, is how totally disconnected and screwed up the world, it’s leaders and organizations are. Selfish narrow-minded morons… all of them.

 

Well, I guess we can look forward to not being able to travel certain places without taking several different vaccines. Of which we still don’t know the effects of these “cocktails”. 

 

Add to that the possibility of not being allowed to socialize and live “normally” unless you have a certain vaccine in different countries.

 

A total exposure of a screwed up world. If this virus mutates to something more deadly and kills most of us, we kind of deserve it.

Edited August 18, 2021 by khunpa

[khunpa]

16 minutes ago, Johnny Mac said:

Okay, I'm gonna ask the question. If one has had a sinovac and is due for the AZ jab soon, could one not get the AZ jab and then get 2 others later? Is that dangerous, really never seen much said about this, or maybe nobody knows?

I don’t think anyone really knows and we will probably not know the side effects for years to come.

[smedly]

17 minutes ago, Johnny Mac said:

Okay, I'm gonna ask the question. If one has had a sinovac and is due for the AZ jab soon, could one not get the AZ jab and then get 2 others later? Is that dangerous, really never seen much said about this, or maybe nobody knows?

these are questions you should have asked yourself before getting the sinovac jab, now you are stuck with it - it cannot be removed again because you've changed your mind

 

many on here have been dicussing this very issue for weeks 

[Johnny Mac]

3 minutes ago, khunpa said:

The whole thing is just a complete mess worldwide.
 

One thing this Pandemic has shown us all, is how totally disconnected and screwed up the world, it’s leaders and organizations are. Selfish narrow-minded morons… all of them.

 

Well, I guess we can look forward to not being able to travel certain places without taking several different vaccines. Of which we still don’t know the effects of these “cocktails”. 

 

Add to that the possibility of not being allowed to socialize and live “normally” unless you have a certain vaccine in different countries.

 

A total exposure of a screwed up world. If this virus mutates to something more deadly and kills most of us, we kind of deserve it.

Totally agree with all that. One of my bugbears about this whole disaster is how easily many have just accepted it, it really is a new normal, and talking about vaccines as if they are fashion accessories..Like yourself for me it's pretty much over, it's more the youngsters I feel sorry for the most.

 

I detest the world today, think I will just end up existing in a Thai village somewhere, the modern world can go whistle..

[Johnny Mac]

2 minutes ago, smedly said:

these are questions you should have asked yourself before getting the sinovac jab, now you are stuck with it - it cannot be removed again because you've changed your mind

 

many on here have been dicussing this very issue for weeks 

You might be right, mum.

[Thujone]

I've said it before, and no doubt I'll say it again.

Be very happy to have been young years ago.

[4MyEgo]

53 minutes ago, Johnny Mac said:

Mmmm, interesting. I've had 1 sinovac already, (2nd dose of AZ on he 27th) maybe a mistake? who knows. I have no plans to go to the UK soon but maybe next year. What a <deleted> world we live in now.

If you do go, simple, get a booster of AZ, Pfizer, J & J when it becomes available or Moderna. 

 

You made the right decision at the time, your covered.

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The UK is yet to formally approve either the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine.

[Scrotobike]

9 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

There in lies Thailand's problem - not the mixing of vaccines the fact that the UK etc does not recognise the CCP vaccine (or that from the old CCCP).

[bkk6060]

One SInovac and one AZ experimental combo is worthless everyplace in the world except in/entry to Thailand.   

Edited August 18, 2021 by bkk6060

[3NUMBAS]

a fudge wont work i am afraid

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, khunpa said:

One thing this Pandemic has shown us all, is how totally disconnected and screwed up the world, it’s leaders and organizations are. Selfish narrow-minded morons… all of them.

In democracies (and even in authoritarian states to some extent) leaders are responsive to the collective wishes of The people who elect them. Selfish narrow-minded populace gets selfish narrow-minded leaders.

[RotBenz8888]

1 hour ago, Johnny Mac said:

Okay, I'm gonna ask the question. If one has had a sinovac and is due for the AZ jab soon, could one not get the AZ jab and then get 2 others later? Is that dangerous, really never seen much said about this, or maybe nobody knows?

If you're not planing to travel outside Thailand, I'd take the AZ jab and then wait.

[mfd101]

40 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Will be interesting to see. I suspect 6 months down the track both the Sinos will be accepted for what they are: OK, not the best, but better than nothing in poor countries, and - if combined with AZ or Pf - OK for entry to home-sweet-home.

[RichardColeman]

3 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Will be interesting to see. I suspect 6 months down the track both the Sinos will be accepted for what they are: OK, not the best, but better than nothing in poor countries, and - if combined with AZ or Pf - OK for entry to home-sweet-home.

It probably will be accepted in 6-12 months, but by then there is a good chance that the western vaccines will have improved further and the only people at risk of infections will be those with chinese vaccines in them !

[overherebc]

28 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

It probably will be accepted in 6-12 months, but by then there is a good chance that the western vaccines will have improved further and the only people at risk of infections will be those with chinese vaccines in them !

Don't see why Thai made AZ won't be accepted. From what I read samples were/are sent to uk for QC checking so why shouldn't uk accept two AZ jabs.

[Whale]

I hope they get on with it fast. I have my second AZ (a god and Anutin willing) in September and I am keen to return to the UK for a while without the impediment of quarantine. If the stars align I will be a happy camper.

[kickstart]

They are still a lot of don't knows ,if I get jabed this year ,say a Chines job ,then a AZ ,say I do not go back to the UK for 18 months ,by then I might have had  a booster jab  ,say AZ ,will that cancel out the first Chines Job, and I will not need to quarantine ,and what if a fourth jab is needed ,some reports say it is needed,  again say AZ, would I need to quarantine.

As I said so much we do not know.

. 

[tingtong]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

And it’s a similar situation for the Sinopharm vaccine which has been approved in Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Malta, Spain and Sweden.

 

Yet Hungary now offering a 3rd shot to those vaccinated by Sinopharm, bcos approx 30 % of the elderly didn't develop sufficient defense after the jabs.

 

More, some EU countries won't want to accept EU members with Sinopharm+1 shot either...

 

The best solution, for multiple reasons:

Get Pfeizer or Moderna. 

That is accepted.

Everywhere.

[sandyf]

Another irrelevant thread, mix and match is not an issue, it wouldn't matter if you had 2 doses of AZ or anything else, the problem is still there.

The UK, EU and US have made an arrangement among themselves over reciprocal recognition and many are complaining about the ability to police that arrangement.

It will be years, if ever, before emerging economies will get to join the club.

[grandpa]

3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Mix and Match vaccines will cause a tenuous situation for anyone who decides to travel.  Quarantine will be the norm as well as the allowing of only vaccinated folks into certain locations including restaurants, movie theatres, bars, and many other venues in the not so distant future I am afraid.  However, that is my view, but one I have heard echoed in reports from Governments throughout the world.

Apparently, only allowing vaccinated folks into certain locations is already the norm in France.  I was told this yesterday by my cousin who lives there.

[Johnny Mac]

3 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

If you do go, simple, get a booster of AZ, Pfizer, J & J when it becomes available or Moderna. 

 

You made the right decision at the time, your covered.

Yes. I was offered the Sinovac so just went for it. And since my post I thought the same ie a booster AZ that would mean I've had 2 AZ's.+i Sinovac.

 

Or do you think getting a booster of Moderna, J&J, or Pfizer would be okay on top of a Sinovac/AZ?  

[Johnny Mac]

2 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

If you're not planing to travel outside Thailand, I'd take the AZ jab and then wait.

Yes, agree. Cheers

[4MyEgo]

2 minutes ago, Johnny Mac said:

Yes. I was offered the Sinovac so just went for it. And since my post I thought the same ie a booster AZ that would mean I've had 2 AZ's.+i Sinovac.

 

Or do you think getting a booster of Moderna, J&J, or Pfizer would be okay on top of a Sinovac/AZ?  

I am not up to speed with the mix and matches on the vaccines, but have heard the Sinovac at first, then followed by AZ is what people are offered, that said, when it comes to a booster, I think AZ will suffice.

 

As I have already paid for Moderna which is due in October, if I get the Pfizer, I will stick with the mRNA vaccines and take Moderna as a booster next year if they allow me to put it back which I don't see it to be a problem.

[oldcpu]

3 hours ago, smedly said:

these are questions you should have asked yourself before getting the sinovac jab, now you are stuck with it - it cannot be removed again because you've changed your mind

 

many on here have been dicussing this very issue for weeks 

Its not an easy question to answer with certainty.  If he did not get the sinovac jab, he could be dead today.

Edited August 18, 2021 by oldcpu