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EU vaccination certificates will in future be invalid without booster vaccination against coronavirus no later than nine months after basic immunization. The decision comes into force on February 1, the EU Commission announced on Tuesday. Theoretically, EU countries can still veto the decision, but this is considered as good as impossible, as the regulation has been agreed with the states. Austria has already previously shortened the validity of the certificates, for proof of immunization against Corona, in the green passport to 270 days.
From February 1: Vaccination certificates in EU valid for nine months without booster
Previously, vaccination certificates recognized throughout Europe were valid indefinitely in the EU. Covid booster vaccinations are now recommended not later than six months after full vaccination. However, the vaccination certificate should be valid for three more months before it expires, giving people enough time to get a booster. After a booster vaccination, the validity has so far been extended indefinitely because there is not yet sufficient information on the duration of protection provided by the boosters, an EU official said.
The rule replaces a non-binding recommendation issued by the Brussels-based agency in November and applies only to travel within the EU. But if the situation worsens, states can require additional conditions such as mandatory testing or quarantine. But they are asked to abide by the agreements that freedom of movement should not be “disproportionately” restricted. EU states will also be able to determine the passport’s validity period for access to events or indoor activities.
EU vaccination certificate consists of a QR code
The EU vaccination certificate consists of a QR code, which is generated directly after the vaccination in practices and vaccination centers or is subsequently available in Austria, for example, in pharmacies. The code can be displayed in a smartphone app and can be read digitally. The codes are recognized everywhere in the EU despite different apps in different countries and facilitate proof of vaccinations, fresh tests and recently survived infections with the coronavirus when traveling.
EU Parliament agreement on Europe-wide certificates.
EU Commission President Ursula der Leyen had already announced after last week’s EU summit that her agency would promptly present a regulation with regard to EU vaccination certificates. Before this year’s summer season, the EU countries and the EU Parliament had agreed on the final details of the Europe-wide certificates. They are now recognized in numerous countries, including outside the EU.
The EU’s digital Covid certificate is a success story, the EU Commission stressed in a press release. So far, 807 million certificates have been issued in the EU, it said. A total of 60 countries and territories.
- source: vienna.at/picture: Image by Wilfried Pohnke from Pixabay
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