OFFICIALS have moved to alleviate fears after a Bradford man raised concerns his trip abroad may be in doubt due to receiving a certain batch of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The man, who has asked not to be named, said he received his first dose of the vaccine at the Jacob’s Well vaccination centre in March.

He received the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, but it came from a batch of the jab produced in India, known as Covishield.

The man, and his wife, are due to travel to Portugal for a holiday in September, and he said he has concerns that the vaccines produced in India are not approved in the EU, meaning he would not be able to travel to Portugal - currently on the amber list - as a double vaccinated traveller, meaning he would not be required to self-isolate upon returning to the UK.

People arriving in mainland Portugal from the UK are also required to quarantine for two weeks, unless they can prove they have been fully vaccinated with an EU approved vaccine.

Earlier this month fears were raised that the Indian produced version of the AstraZeneca vaccine - batch numbers 4120Z002,4120Z001 and 4120Z2003 - did not quality for the EU vaccine passport scheme.

The Government said at the time it was working with the European Commission to solve the issue, and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation member Professor Adam Finn said the issue was an “administrative hurdle that would be straightened out”.

Now the Government has said a similar issue was raised in Malta last week and solved quickly, and that having the Indian batch should not be an issue to enter Portugal.

No EU member states have been advised not to accept the India-produced jabs and that the vaccine will be accepted like any other. People who have received both vaccinations can get their NHS Covid Pass by visiting the NHS website.

A government spokesperson said: “This incident happened last week and the Maltese authorities have since agreed to amend their travel advice so this should not happen again.

“All AstraZeneca vaccines given in the UK are the same product and appear on the NHS COVID Pass as Vaxzevria.

“The European Medicines Agency, as well as our own medicines regulator, has authorised this vaccine and travel should not be affected.”

The Bradford man who received his first jab had been worried about not being considered double vaccinated and what that would mean for their holiday, and that other Bradfordians may also be in a similar position without being aware of it.

Earlier this month, Prof Finn said: “People who have received these batches should be reassured they have received exactly the same stuff as people who have received other batches made elsewhere.

“This is an administrative hurdle that needs to be straightened out but people should not be concerned that they are in some way less well protected.

“I would anticipate that this will get straightened out in due course.”

The World Health Organisation has also called on nations to accept all vaccines it has authorised to reopen global travel.

People who have yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19 are urged to come forward to get their free vaccination to give them protection against the virus, with walk-in clinics being held across the district. Those who have had their first jab are also reminded to make sure they get their second dose for maximum protection against Covid.