Consider adding complete name of COVID-19 vaccine, Passport number in Vaccination Certificates: Kerala High Court to Centre

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to consider incorporating the complete COVID-19 vaccine name and an option to add passport number in Vaccination Certificates provided through the Co-WIN portal (Rahim Pattarkadavan Vs. Union of India). .A Bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaqu and Kauser Edappagath passed the order in a petition highlighting difficulties faced by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and persons wishing to travel abroad on account of the vaccination certificate being bereft of these details. .The Court today observed that the plea merits consideration by the Central government.."Having considered the prayers of the petitioner and hearing the learned Assistant Solicitor General, we are of the view that the requests ... requires meritorious consideration by the Central Government as any certificate issued in India needs to be relied upon by foreign authorities and such clarification in certificates may be needed", stated the interim order passed today..Pertinently, the vaccine certificate presently issued includes details such as name, gender, Aadhaar number, dates of receiving the doses and the brand name of the vaccine administered. .For instance, in cases where Covishield is administered, the Vaccine Certificates only mention the brand name "Covishield" instead the complete name of the vaccine, which is "Oxford-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine.".Moreover, there is no option provided to include the Passport numbers of persons who have been vaccinated, the Court was told..Appearing for the NRI petitioner, advocate Haris Beeran stated that the non-inclusion of passport numbers and the complete name of the vaccine administered has hindered NRIs from returning to their countries of residence as well as travelers who wished to go abroad. .The petitioner highlighted the case of Saudi Arabia where the authorities have specified that the complete name of the vaccine administered and passport numbers must be mentioned in the Vaccination Certificates of anyone wishing to enter Saudi Arabia. .Therefore, several persons who have already been given their vaccination certificates and those waiting to get their certificates in the future will face hurdles in entering any country that requires such clarifications in their certificates, it was submitted..The Court acknowledged the concern raised and asked the Centre to consider incorporating the complete vaccine details in the certificate. This would enable authorities in foreign countries to discern the nature of the vaccine administered to travelers, the Court observed. .The Bench also observed that an option may be given to enter the Passport details for the benefit of NRIs and travelers..Another concern raised by the petitioner was that Bharat Biotech's vaccine, Covaxin, has not been included in the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of the World Health Organization (WHO). As a result, persons who received Covaxin are hindered from travelling to most other countries, the petitioner has submitted..Advocate Beeran argued that since citizens are not at liberty to choose which vaccine they receive, it is imperative that the Government expedite talks with the WHO and ensure approval is granted for Covaxin. .The Court has asked the Central Government to consider this prayer as well. .Taking into account ASG Raj Kumar's request for time to relay the Centre's response, the case has been posted for hearing next three weeks from today.