Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions has he had with his international counterparts on recognising AstraZeneca vaccines administered in (a) Turkey and (b) TRNC within the UK.

From 11 October, travellers vaccinated in over 37 countries and territories became eligible for reduced testing and quarantine requirements for ‘rest of the world’ category countries, if they have not visited a ‘red list’ country or territory in the 10 days before arriving in England. These travellers should also be fully vaccinated with one of the four Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved vaccines, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria, Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen. This includes derivations, such as Covishield.

Those fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine arriving from Turkey can demonstrate their status with a vaccine certificate from the relevant public health body. Arrivals from Cyprus must use the Cypriot EU Digital COVID Certificate to demonstrate their vaccine status.