During the early stages of the spring immunization rollout, some countries offered mixed doses of the vaccine due to supply shortages. In Canada, at least 3.9 million people received two different injections and now face travel restrictions as many countries, including the United States, only consider people with two identical doses fully vaccinated.
“For Canadians, I think a reminder for one of the first doses of the vaccine will likely be the release card,†said Ms. Mills, who is a Dutch Canadian.
What to know about Covid-19 booster injections
The FDA has cleared booster shots for a select group of people who received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago. This group includes: Pfizer beneficiaries who are 65 years of age or older or who live in long-term care facilities; adults who are at high risk for severe Covid-19 due to an underlying medical problem; healthcare workers and others whose work puts them at risk. People with weakened immune systems are eligible for a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna four weeks after the second injection.
Regulators have yet to clear the booster shots for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients, but an FDA panel is due to meet to weigh the booster shots for adult Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients.
The CDC said the conditions that qualify a person for a booster shot include: hypertension and heart disease; diabetes or obesity; cancer or blood disorders; weakened immune system; chronic lung, kidney or liver disease; dementia and some disabilities. Pregnant women and current and former smokers are also eligible.
The FDA has cleared the boosters for workers whose work puts them at high risk of exposure to potentially infectious people. The CDC says this group includes: emergency medical workers; education workers; food and agricultural workers; manufacturing workers; correctional workers; workers in the US postal service; public transport workers; employees of grocery stores.
It is not recommended. For now, recipients of the Pfizer vaccine are advised to be vaccinated by Pfizer, and recipients of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson must wait until booster doses from these manufacturers are approved.
Yes. The CDC says the Covid vaccine can be given regardless of the timing of other vaccines, and many pharmacy websites allow people to schedule a flu shot along with a booster dose.
And where is your documentation?
Even after being cleared into a country, foreign visitors may find it difficult to access establishments or services that require “passports” or vaccination certificates, such as restaurants and museums, due to compatibility issues. between types of verification software. On vacation in August, Jason Trenton, a 49-year-old music technician who was vaccinated in New York City in April, was turned away from a restaurant in Paris because the hostess was unable to scan his Excelsior collar, a mobile application published by the State of New York.
In June, France launched its own app, called Pass Santé, which stores vaccination certificates and PCR test results and is required to access bars, restaurants, malls, tourist sites and public transport. At the time of Mr. Trenton’s visit, the system was not accessible to US citizens.
“Most places accept the CDC paper vaccination card, but I didn’t want to take it with me because it’s so easy to lose,†Mr. Trenton said. “It’s all down to chance and you just have to hope someone accepts your pass without scanning it. It has worked in most places but it is stressful as you are making reservations and planning your day but not sure if it will work.
In some countries like Switzerland, travelers from outside the surrounding EU must apply for the necessary national vaccination certificates for indoor dining and cultural activities, but obtaining one can take up to seven days.
“This is all very unnecessary and confusing,†said John Morris, 59, an English teacher who lives in Istanbul. He decided not to return home until Britain recognizes the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine he received in Turkey. “These rules are just detrimental to developing countries. I received this very good vaccine from a very effective health system in Turkey, and I will go where I accept it. “
