A FROME resident working in Africa has criticised new UK travel rules that class her as ‘unvaccinated’ despite having received both jabs.
Charity worker, Josie Gallo, received her two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Uganda. But as the African country is not on the UK government’s list of 17 recognised countries, she must follow the ‘non-vaccinated rules’ when visiting the UK, which includes a 10-day quarantine period.
Josie has told Frome Times that the travel restrictions have left her plans to return to Frome for Christmas “up in the air”.
And she has labelled the rules – which begin next week on 4th October – as “unjust” and an example of “medical imperialism”, highlighting that there is potential for the UK to not recognise vaccines that it has donated itself to less wealthy countries.
“I am frustrated and outraged at the latest news regarding the travel restrictions from October 4th – that Covid vaccine certificates will only be recognised from certain countries or territories, and no vaccines will be recognised that have been administered in Africa,” said Josie in a letter to local MP David Warburton.
“I received my Covid vaccine here in Uganda, as advised by the Foreign Office who informed British citizens living abroad to take the vaccine where they live.
“This means that despite being fully vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, I am classed as unvaccinated, and therefore must self-isolate for 10 days every time I wish to return home. It is also a U-turn on the policy that was announced in July, that British citizens could have their vaccines registered with the NHS for ease of travel.
“This decision reeks of medical imperialism and is incredibly short-sighted. It also further highlights the disparity between the vaccine distribution between the West and less wealthy countries. The vaccine that I received was donated as part of the COVAX initiative, and despite being a UK-approved and widely-used vaccine, is not recognised simply because of the location where it was administered – which is simply unjust.
“This will have an enormous impact on many British citizens living abroad, as well as numerous others who would be travelling to the UK for personal reasons, business or tourism. It is hardly a reflection of ‘Global Britain’.
“It also increases vaccine hesitancy as many people will now fear receiving a vaccine donated by the UK that is not recognised by the very government that donated it. I can only hope that the government backs down from this reckless decision, as it has done so often throughout the handling of this pandemic.”
