It was just the unfortunate Canadians with ‘mixed vaccines’ - unrecognized by some destinations and most cruise lines - who were worried about somehow getting that ‘3rd Shot’ to travel.
Now all Canadian travellers should be on high alert to make sure they get another dose - no matter what vaccines they originally received.
At least two European destinations have announced they will not accept vaccination schedules older than 270 days.
That means that if a traveller had their last dose 9 months ago - their vaccination is no longer valid.
Frommer’s is reporting that both Austria and Croatia have introduced time limits on vaccine validity. And that other EU countries at least are expected to soon follow suit.
Let’s do the math
If a traveller’s last shot was in FEB, their vaccine validity would expire in NOV.
In MAR, then it would expire in DEC.
And a second shot in APR means the traveller’s vaccination validity would expire in JAN 2022.
The article notes that the time limit on vaccine validity is not a ban on tourists with ‘outdated’ vaccine schedules - in the case of Austria and Croatia at least. Instead, they would be treated as ‘unvaccinated,’ subject to testing or restrictions or even quarantines on a destination-by-destination basis.
So the news certainly means that any Canadian hoping to go to Europe in the spring, or even later this year if they were vaccinated in the winter months, should be looking hard at these new time limits - and getting a booster shot.
In the U.S., booster shots are already recommended for anyone whose last shot was 8 months previous. If they act immediately, they would be well within the new time limits.
Continuity is the key, it seems, with the article stating, “Americans who obtain booster shots promptly after the 8-month recommended time frame ends will maintain their status as vaccinated travelers without interruption. The clock would reset and those travelers could enter Austria or Croatia under the rules for fully vaccinated visitors, provided at least 14 days (for Croatia) or 22 days (for Austria) have elapsed since the booster shot.”
As Open Jaw reported yesterday, booster shots are available in only one province, Ontario, which is beginning with those at high-risk, not for travel. Two provinces, Quebec and Saskatechewan, are making ‘3rd shots’ available for residents whose vaccines are not recognized for travel in some destinations.
Now, even travellers who received double-mRNA vaccine doses will likely be needing a ‘3rd shot’ or booster to travel.
And it’s not clear how or when many Canadians will be able to get them in time to plan for European travel late this year or into 2022.
