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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To assume families with children too young to be vaccinated won’t be able to holiday overseas for years?

248 replies

ohcarolina2001 · 18/03/2021 22:56

So various countries are welcoming vaccinated people. By autumn my partner and I should both have had both vaccines, but our 1 year old DD is not eligible for a vaccine and by the time all the trials etc have been done on progressively younger people, we are years away from her being vaccinated. AIBU to assume we can’t take her on her first overseas holiday any time soon, because there is no exemption for unvaccinated children who can of course still spread Covid-19?

The only possibility I can see is going to a country which doesn’t require anyone to be vaccinated - but surely these destinations are a much riskier prospect (with an unvaccinated toddler licking everything and no vaccine 100% effective anyway).

Looking at holiday websites, most package holidays seem to be sold out for autumn already. These can’t all have been bought by couples without kids and older couples with adult children, surely? Have families with kids who won’t be vaccinated booked too and are hoping for positive news that kids will be exempt from the requirement to have their vaccines before entry?

OP posts:
SnackSizeRaisin · 18/03/2021 23:11

Maybe you can't go this year, but that probably isn't a great idea anyway, as most other countries are way behind the UK in getting people vaccinated. There's a reasonable risk of last minute cancellation, or having to isolate when returning if a new variant is discovered.
By next summer either children will be vaccinated, or covid will be less of an issue and restrictions no longer apply.
A 1 year old doesn't care about going on a foreign holiday anyway.

Bouncebacker · 18/03/2021 23:14

I’m guessing that most countries will require tests if you can’t provide proof of vaccine - so a test for kids? I think it’s very unlikely that us younger non vulnerable people with kids will get to leave the country this year and I find that really tough, but at least we are safe and well

whatswithtodaytoday · 18/03/2021 23:15

The vaccines are being tested on children at the moment with a view to them being vaccinated next winter or early 2022, so it's not going to be years.

But yes, there will be some restrictions on travel this year.

Bumblebee1980a · 18/03/2021 23:19

We have booked to go away in July and we have DS (4) who obviously won't have been vaccinated by then.

Midlifephoenix · 18/03/2021 23:21

No I don't think there will be a requirement for children under 16 (or even 18) to be vaccinated for travelling, and I'm not sure they will ever vaccinate really small children unless they are at particular risk.
My worry with travelling is that other countries are far behind in rolling it out and in several infection rates are rising. I don't think it's a good idea to book a holiday abroad this year, or wait until autumn and go for a last minute deal.

MessAllOver · 18/03/2021 23:39

Kids will be exempt. Destinations like Greece and Spain rely heavily on the family market.

NoMoreLimbo · 18/03/2021 23:49

@ohcarolina2001 Many countries seem to be planning vaccine certification OR negative test policy to let people in. My children are too young to be vaccinated but I certainly hope I can take them to another country ie see close family in other European country ‘soon’.

HalfGalHalfCake · 19/03/2021 01:19

I'm looking forward to a couple of years of holidays without screaming kids ruining it

starfish88 · 19/03/2021 03:26

Children are exempt from testing currently in many countries, the age varies by country obviously. I can't see it being much of a stretch to extend that to the vaccine too.

starfish88 · 19/03/2021 03:27

Sorry that should be testing for travel, not for symptoms, school etc

en0la · 19/03/2021 03:30

Why would you put her potentially at risk for something that she's not old enough to want or appreciate? She'd be as happy with a beach in this country or trips to the park to feed the ducks.

Subordinateclause · 19/03/2021 04:23

RE things already being booked up, I'm not sure that many people are now booking holidays as much as their holiday from last year was transferred to this year by their operator. We have a holiday booked but it's not because we're really optimistic we can go, it's because last year's holiday (booked pre covid) has been moved. I guess it will be moved again or we might get a refund if it can't go ahead.

MrsMackesy · 19/03/2021 04:32

We are thinking that under 16s will be exempt but we are not planning on travelling overseas at all this year, (and certainly wouldn't with a one year old).

housemdwaswrong · 19/03/2021 04:37

I don't t think it will be an issue. They'll have to work a way around it. Itsbtge same for adults like my sister, who can't get a jab.

The travel industry is on its knees, and makes the most money in the summer hols. They would lobby hard if this were to be an issue.

Justanotherdragact · 19/03/2021 05:22

I would put the idea of going abroad this year out of your head tbh.
I won’t be going near an airport this year with DD (4 months old). It’s not a necessity. Wait til everything has calmed down next year? Crap I know but it’s for the best.

HeartsAndClubs · 19/03/2021 05:44

TBH I wouldn’t be going abroad anyway as other countries’s vaccine programmes are way behind ours and e.g. France have done a spectacular job of putting their citizens off being vaccinated and now Paris is going back into lockdown as are parts of Italy.

Other countries do how’ever have the right to ban anyone they want from entering their country if vaccination is mandatory to them. This isn’t about railing against the UK, it’s just that it makes sense for airlines not to carry unvaccinated people to countries where they will be turned away leaving those airlines having to fly those people home again.

That aside, no vaccine is 100% effective. Not one. And yet you vaccinate your DC against other illnesses, MMR and such, without thinking about that don’t you? The bar for authorising a vaccine is set at 50% effective. There’s plenty of evidence that these vaccines are considerably more effective than that.

jessstan2 · 19/03/2021 06:10

Why worry? There are plenty of nice places to go here if we are allowed to move round a bit and there will be good weather too. You can think about travelling abroad maybe next year. A baby will know no different.

stealthbanana · 19/03/2021 06:40

For all of you proclaiming that travel isn’t a necessity - assume you don’t have family abroad who might actually want to see said children at some point? It annoys me that travel is so blithely written off as being indulgent holidays only.

Aprilx · 19/03/2021 06:41

YABU. Airlines are generally asking for proof of a negative test, not vaccination certificates.

jessstan2 · 19/03/2021 06:42

@stealthbanana

For all of you proclaiming that travel isn’t a necessity - assume you don’t have family abroad who might actually want to see said children at some point? It annoys me that travel is so blithely written off as being indulgent holidays only.
Family can do without seeing the children for a while longer, it won't kill them. It's unfortunate but better to be safe than sorry.
ChocOrange1 · 19/03/2021 06:45

@stealthbanana

For all of you proclaiming that travel isn’t a necessity - assume you don’t have family abroad who might actually want to see said children at some point? It annoys me that travel is so blithely written off as being indulgent holidays only.
OP has specifically mentioned it being for a holiday, and has not said anything about family abroad so its a fair assumption.
londonscalling · 19/03/2021 06:47

We are booked to go away with the kids. The issue we have is that our 19 year old is meant to be coming too. He will need to have had his jab but sounds like he won't be getting it until July!

Alfaix · 19/03/2021 06:47

Just googled and found out that children under 10 exempt from testing in Greece.
This makes me much more likely to book as DS is 8 and DH and I are vaccinated.

JustTurtlesAllTheWayDown · 19/03/2021 06:50

@stealthbanana

For all of you proclaiming that travel isn’t a necessity - assume you don’t have family abroad who might actually want to see said children at some point? It annoys me that travel is so blithely written off as being indulgent holidays only.
All of my close family, including my parents and siblings, are in a different country to me and my DC. I'm not expecting to see them for at least another year, possibly longer. It's hard but we video call regularly and that will have to do. Travelling is not a necessity. These aren't ordinary times.
SexTrainGlue · 19/03/2021 06:53

With other countries, latest example France, going into lockdowns on such a different timetable to UK, then I think holidaying abroad might be off the cards for a couple more years at least

International travel doesn't feature on the steps out, and I think holiday and recreational travel will be out for a considerable time.

Travelling when vaccinated is to assist the business community. And adults traveling compassionately. There may need to be a solution for the latter category of travel - but of course that's up to the destination country.

We can set rules only for those who are entering UK. People generally seem to like them to be strict

There are lovely parts of UK, so I think holidaying here isn't such a bad prospect for another year or two.

Leave the planes for business trave and those with important personal reasons.

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