New guidance for people vaccinated under WHO EUL and under 18s

From 4am on 22 November 2021, the government will recognise vaccines on the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL). As a result, Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing, and Covaxin will be added to our list of approved vaccines for inbound travel, benefitting more fully vaccinated people from countries such as the UAE, Malaysia, and India. The U.S. also recognises the vaccines on the WHO EUL for inbound travel. 

Passengers, who have been fully vaccinated and have received their vaccine certificate from one of over 135 approved countries and territories, are not required to take a Pre-Departure Test, day eight test or self-isolate upon arrival. Instead, passengers will just need to pay for a lateral flow test to take before the end of their second day,  post-arrival.  

Also, from 4am 22 November 2021, the following vaccines will be recognised: Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covishield), Moderna, and Janssen (J&J), and WHO EUL including Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing, and Covaxin. 

This comes as the government simplifies travel rules for all under-18s coming to England, who will be treated as fully vaccinated at the border and will be exempt from self-isolation requirements on arrival, day eight testing and pre-departure testing. They will only be required to take one post-arrival test and a confirmatory free PCR test if they test positive.  

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said:  “As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and expand our recognition of international vaccines, this announcement marks the next step in our restart of international travel.    

“By also simplifying the rules for international travel for all under-18s coming to England, we’re bringing further good news for families looking to unite with loved ones, and another great boost for the travel sector.” 

Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary commented: “This announcement is another step forward for the travel industry, businesses and for family and friends wanting to reunite or go abroad.  

“The red list and quarantine system remain vital in protecting our borders and as we’ve said we will not hesitate to take action by adding countries to the red list if necessary.” 

The government will keep its border measures under review, every three weeks, including the red list, and will impose restrictions should there be a need to do so to protect public health.