The UK government is set to confront Malta after tourists were banned from entering the country because they had been vaccinated with an Indian-made batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India is "absolutely the same product" as batches made elsewhere.
He made the comments in response to reports in the Telegraph that one couple, Steve, 64, and Glenda Hardy, 63, from Hull, were barred from a flight from Manchester to Malta because they had had the Indian-made jab.
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The "Covishield" batch made by the Serum Institute has not been authorised by Europe's regulator and is not recognised by the EU despite being the same as other AstraZeneca vaccines.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, Mr Shapps said the Government will be taking the issue up with Maltese authorities.
He said: "The medicines agency, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, have been very clear that it doesn't matter whether the AstraZeneca you have is made here or the Serum Institute in India.
"It is absolutely the same product, it provides exactly the same levels of protection from the virus.
"We will certainly speak to our Maltese colleagues to point all this out.
"Obviously it is up to them what they do. But we will be making the scientific point in the strongest possible terms there is no difference, we don't recognise any difference."
The Prime Minister has previously stated he was "very confident" Covishield would not cause an issue, following estimates that five million Britons could be barred from taking holidays in the EU.
