12 & 3 weeks due to go Spain but can't get double-vaccinated in time

[1stWorldProblems]

DD's Y7 group are due to go to Barcelona in 1st week of April - one of the girls in year is 12 just 3 weeks before & it looks like she won't be allowed in Spain as she won't be double-vaccinated & she's not caught it (despite it going round her year group twice). She can get one jab but not the 2nd one in time & so it looks she won't be allowed into Spain.

Anyone had this problem? Any suggestions?

Needed to cancel our Xmas break due to same reason. Don't think there is anyway round it just hoping rules don't change again and dc don't need boosters at Easter for our rearranged trip.

Can’t she just show a negative test on the way out and back? Yes it’ll cost but at least she can go….

How bloody ridiculous for a child.

@AllisoninWunderland Spain don't currently accept negative tests, only full vaccine proof. I suspect they'll have changed the rules again by April though.

Need to be fully vaccinated to visit Spain as a tourist if age 12+. A negative test isnt enough and they don't accept proof of recovery from covid either

@ImInStealthMode ah ok thanks. I wasn’t sure. Let’s hope they do. Have you read this somewhere?

@dementedpixie well it sounds like tourism might be down this year and in the future if they don’t relax these ‘rules’ soon.

Spain are only accepting double jabbed children and adults, no exemptions, unfortunately at the moment. Hopefully rules will change by the spring.

@AllisoninWunderland No I haven't, but I work for a travel company that specialises in Spain, so I have to have hope!

Having another look around, the only loop hole is entry by land doesn't require a C-19 QR code and Portugal just wants a Negative PCR test 72 before departure.

I reckon rules will change when they realise how ridiculous it is and how it will effect tourism

@Remmy123

I reckon rules will change when they realise how ridiculous it is and how it will effect tourism

Will it effect tourism or will the unvaccinated suddenly decide they are happy to have the vaccine after all like two couples I know

@Mindymomo

Spain are only accepting double jabbed children and adults, no exemptions, unfortunately at the moment. Hopefully rules will change by the spring.

Italy the same. We are considering Turkey for first time ever as I've not had 12 year old vaccinated and don't intend to.....

@Remmy123

I reckon rules will change when they realise how ridiculous it is and how it will effect tourism

will it affect tourism much if the other european countries vaccinate fully from 12yo though? it's (currently) only uk that doesn't.

@Mindymomo

Spain are only accepting double jabbed children and adults, no exemptions, unfortunately at the moment. Hopefully rules will change by the spring.

All children, or 12+ year olds?

@Remmy123

I reckon rules will change when they realise how ridiculous it is and how it will effect tourism

Rules have been in place for months now and they don’t affect EU citizens or residents.

You can get into Spain with a negative test if you’re from the EU, because they accept the EU Digital Covid Cert which is either 2 vaccines, 1 vaccine + recovery, recovery in the last 6 months, or a simple negative test.

The rules are different for the UK because they’re not part of the EU Digital Covid Cert scheme.

@Meredusoleil just 12+.

I think I read on here that it’s 12+3 months. Does anyone know if this is true?

@1stWorldProblems

Having another look around, the only loop hole is entry by land doesn't require a C-19 QR code and Portugal just wants a Negative PCR test 72 before departure.

I’m not sure how practical this loophole is, when Portugal and Barcelona are a 12-13 hour drive apart.

@EileenGC you say the rules have been in place for months. I was under the impression they changed on 1 December as a result of Omicron. I booked a holiday to Spain in November for this summer and they weren’t in place when I booked because I checked carefully as my oldest DS turns 12 eight days before we are due travel so won’t have time to get both vaccines in.

From 1st Feb Spain also require evidence of a booster.

Some countries allow a grace period of 3 months for those just turning 12. So that’s the only hope I think. Not sure if Spain do that. Otherwise hopefully the rules will change.

I think many countries are now putting expiry dates on vaccinations and shortening timescale of this. For example from 9 months to 6 months. Definitely all worth checking for holidays this year. I would assume a double vaccination is enough. It will be a tricky year travelling with kids that are just turning 12z

This is why we are considering other places for our summer holidays

My eldest has a minor heart condition and breezed through covid itself - I cannot get her vaccinated just to travel.

We are looking at Turkey and Croatia at present.

From 1st Feb Spain also require evidence of a booster.

Unless you had the second dose of your vaccine less than 270 days ago which applies to many below 60. I am boosted but if I weren't I'd be ok with just the first two jabs until the first week in April.

Remmy123
I reckon rules will change when they realise how ridiculous it is and how it will effect tourism

I don't think it would make that much difference because the vast majority of people in western Europe are vaccinated

But it's also about making plans to protect health services. If big tourist areas, Spain, Greece etc, had another wave at the height of summer tourism then tourists would add to a shortage of hospital beds and it wouldn't make any difference if you had health insurance or not.

Delta was a serious wave in the middle of summer. You can hardly blame countries for wanting visitors to be vaccinated when we know the vaccine reduces hospitalisations. There is nothing ridiculous about it

You need to look at how these countries are regulating their own people. In France for instance they are trying to push vaccination so not likely to bring back the testing as an alternative any time soon because they are not likely to treat tourists more leniently than their own citizens. So I am afraid it’s vaccine or nothing. Huge rush here for everyone to get 2nd vaccine in time for ski-ing!

the problem is that you have to have 12weeks between jab 1 and 2 so even if you have the first jab the day you turn 12 you wont be able to have the 2nd (and be fully vaccinated) until you are 12+ 3 months. I think if the above people are correct about the 3 month grace period that is a good compromise by countries.