The United Kingdom will continue to review scientific evidence on other vaccines and health measures to ensure they align with the country's inbound vaccination policy, according to the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
"The UK government uses a range of data to determine which vaccines are recognised," a High Commission spokesperson said in a statement to Malaysiakini.
The list of authorised vaccines includes AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen, while leaving out World Health Organisation (WHO)-approved Sinovac, which has been administered to 46 percent of adult Malaysians.
The High Commission was responding to Malaysiakini's queries following new travel rules released by the UK on Sunday that could make travel for Sinovac recipients to England more of a hassle, including for students from Malaysia flying off soon to further their studies.
"The new system, which will take effect on Oct 4, takes a proportionate approach to simplify the rules to facilitate international travel.
"Under the new rules, fully vaccinated travellers (regardless of nationality) with authorised vaccines are no longer required to take a pre-departure test or day eight test," the spokesperson said.
Despite the extra requirements, the spokesperson said travellers who have been vaccinated with vaccines that are not yet authorised in the UK will still be allowed entry.
"Travellers who have been vaccinated with vaccines that are not yet authorised in the UK can still come to the UK.
"They just need to follow the existing requirement of a pre-departure test, day two test, day eight test and 10-day isolation with an option to Test to Release," said the spokesperson.
According to a UK government advisory, a traveller who opts for the Test to Release scheme can choose to pay for a private Covid-19 test on day five of isolation, and if the result is negative, the person can be released from quarantine.
The scheme is voluntary and applies to those quarantining in England only, unless the person comes from a country or territory on the UK government's red list in the 10 days before their arrival. - Mkini
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