Britons who have been double-vaccinated abroad will soon be able to travel to the UK more easily, as the government is set to recognise jabs administered overseas.
Currently, only those who have been fully vaccinated by the NHS can avoid quarantine if coming from green and amber list countries, under the British government’s traffic light system.
The vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said in the House of Commons last week: “By the end of this month, UK nationals who have been vaccinated overseas will be able to talk to their GP, go through what vaccine they have had, and have it registered with the NHS that they have been vaccinated.
“The reason for the conversation with the GP is to make sure that whatever vaccine they have had is approved in the United Kingdom.
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“Ultimately, there will be a co-ordination between the World Health Organisation, ourselves, the European regulator, the US regulator and other regulators around the world.
“Because we are working at speed, at the moment it is UK nationals and citizens who have had UK vaccinations who will be able to travel to amber list countries other than France and come back and not quarantine.
“We want to offer the same reciprocity as the 33 countries that recognise our app, and that will also happen very soon.”
The Guardian said the lack of reciprocity affected “hundreds of thousands” of British citizens who are dual nationals or have been living or working abroad.
It said that ministers are expected to announce the change later this week, as part of a review of the wider rules governing international travel due to be held before July 31.
The Independent commented that British expats who have been immunised abroad were frustrated with delays by the UK government in recognising foreign jabs.
“Unlike many other nations, the UK currently refuses to accept proof of vaccination abroad as an alternative to self-isolation,” said the Independent, which also pointed out that British expatriates do not generally have GPs in the UK.
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