WHO urges western countries to accept travellers given Chinese Covid vaccine

UN health agency warns of global vaccine divide

Hafsa, one of the medical volunteers, administers a vaccine at London Central Mosque. Mark Chilvers for The National

London Central Mosque is opening its doors this Ramadan to anyone eligible for a vaccine. Mark Chilvers for The National

'The principle really is that patients need to have conversations and safe trusted spaces with our specialist clinicians on hand to answer their questions. Because as we know from the news, there are lots of fears and worries around the vaccine,” Dr Yasmin Razak said. Mark Chilvers for The National

Two clinics have been held at London Central Mosque already, and it will hold more during Ramadan, after sunset once people have broken their fast. Mark Chilvers for The National

'I think people don't just go away with a jab in their arm, they go away with a really positive energy about what the NHS can do for them,' Dr Razak said. Mark Chilvers for The National

A member of the public receives a vaccine at London Central Mosque. Mark Chilvers for The National

A sign thanking people for attending the vaccination drive at the mosque. Mark Chilvers for The National

Given the positive reaction so far, the mosque will keep its doors open for vaccinations throughout Ramadan when Dr Razak and her team will return for an evening surgery after sunset. Mark Chilvers for The National

Governments and regional authorities have been urged to recognise as fully vaccinated those who have received WHO-approved Covid-19 shots, for the purposes of travel and attending events.

The call came in a statement by Covax, a joint initiative that seeks to vaccinate the poorest countries, and is co-convened by the WHO.

Although not mentioned by name, most European and North American countries have not approved two Chinese vaccines whereas the WHO has.

“Covax was built on the principle of equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines to protect the health of people all across the globe,” Covax said.

“That means protecting their lives and livelihoods, including their ability to travel and conduct trade.”

In May, the EU said it would only recognise people as vaccinated if they had received shots licensed by the European Medicines Agency. However, individual countries have the power to let in those who have received other vaccines.

“Any measure that only allows people protected by a subset of WHO-approved vaccines to benefit from the reopening of travel into and with that region would effectively create a two-tier system, further widening the global vaccine divide and exacerbating the inequities we have already seen in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines,” Covax said.

“It would negatively impact the growth of economies that are already suffering the most. Such moves are already undermining confidence in life-saving vaccines that have already been shown to be safe and effective, affecting uptake of vaccines and potentially putting billions of people at risk.

“At a time when the world is trying to resume trade, commerce and travel, this is counter-effective, both in spirit and outcome.”

The EU drug regulator is currently considering licensing China's Sinovac vaccine, but there is no timeline on a decision.