Transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the move after it emerged Malta’s government is not accepting British travellers who have received this version of the AstraZeneca jab, which has been given to around five million people in the UK.
“It’s not right and should not be happening in our view,” said Shapps when asked about the issue on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday (14 July).
“It does not matter whether the AstraZeneca [vaccine] you have is made here or by the Serum Institute in India. They are absolutely the same product and provide absolutely the same certification and level of protection from the virus.
