By John Ikani
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has faulted the claims that the United Kingdom does not approve of the COVID-19 vaccines used in the country.
Debunking the claims, high commissioner Laing said it was untrue, adding that her country had donated 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Nigeria, through COVAX.
“The UK is committed to global access to vaccines, and is among the largest funders to COVAX. The UK has donated 1.2 million vaccines specifically to Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to provide support.
“I would like to emphasise that any statement that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not approved by the UK are completely untrue. The UK recognises the Oxford AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines used in Nigeria, irrespective of where they are manufactured,” she said in a statement on Saturday.
Laing’s clarification is coming against a statement on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website placing Nigeria on the list of amber countries.
The UK travel rules also required that vaccinated individuals from Nigeria and other countries must undergo COVID-19 tests before travelling and quarantine on arrival in UK.
On the rules concerning international travel to the UK, the high commissioner said, “UK is committed to opening up international travel and we are using our COVID-19 vaccination certification process to enable those wishing to enter the UK to do so safely. We know this matters hugely to many people in the UK and in Nigeria – the extensive people-people ties between our two countries are at the heart of our bilateral relationship.”
According to her, from October 4, there will be a single red list of countries and territories where stricter rules apply, and a ‘rest of the world’ list, with simplified travel measures.
“The ‘rest of the world’ list will include countries currently on the UK’s amber list, such as Nigeria,” she clarified.
