Vaccine validity is the next obstacle for many vaccinated individuals who wish to travel to countries in the European Union (EU). If your final date of vaccination is more than 270 days ago, you are not considered vaccinated, without having a booster shot.
So much for having been vaccinated and thinking you can enjoy the liberties of travelling to other countries and entering public spaces or attending events such as concerts and sporting matches…
ALSO READ: These are the countries in Europe South Africans still CAN’T travel to…
VACCINATION REQUIRED FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Many South Africans decided to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus not out of a burning desire to have the vaccine but because of the convenience that being vaccinated brings for things such as travel.
While some countries still allow unvaccinated individuals to enter their borders (subject to quarantines), others do not allow entry to non-vaccinated individuals. This was a major determining factor for a number of South Africans who have family members living in other parts of the world.
ALSO READ: Ireland drops COVID-19 testing requirements for vaccinated visitors
VACCINATION VALIDITY ISSUE
Vaccine validity is becoming an issue for travellers to countries located in Europe. The length of time that has elapsed since a travellers’ final vaccination is coming under scrutiny as the pandemic continues.
The European Union has announced that it has adopted new rules regarding accepted EU vaccination certificates, making these valid for a period of only 270 days after the final vaccination date.
UNIFORMITY AMONG STATES
According to Schengenvisainfo, the EU seeks uniformity among member states and wants co-ordinated travel measures in place, to minimise disruption and ensure that travellers are subject to the same criteria across the bloc.
Mobile apps used to verify digital COVID Certificates will be adjusted in order to verify whether 270 days have passed from the last vaccination date. The new validity period has been based on available scientific evidence as well as objective criteria.
Effectively, this means that travellers who wish to enter an EU state but who received the final COVID-19 shot earlier than 270 days prior to arrival will need to have a booster shot so that their vaccination certificate is recognised.
IMPACT OF 270 DAY RULE
Countries including Austria, Czech Republic, Iceland and Switzerland have already adopted the EU’s 270-day vaccination certificate validity criteria. Latvia and the Netherlands will start applying the new rule from 1 February.
Authorities in the Netherlands have warned that vaccine passports older than 9 months will not be accepted for entry into that country. Greece intends to shorten the validity of the vaccination certificates to seven months.
Travelnews states that Greek authorities have indicated that those who have not received a booster shot within the seven-month period would be considered unvaccinated and could be subject to restrictions.
ALSO READ: UK to scrap pre-arrival PCR test requirements
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