Husband ordered paper copy of vaccine cert too early

[Echofallen]

Hi all

My husband is going overseas at the end of next month and logged into the NHS vaccine page. He clicked on the order a paper copy bit when he noticed it but I know it says you're only supposed to do that 2 weeks before. The certificate arrived a couple of days later.

Will this be ok to use or does he need to order a new one just before he goes? I don't want him turning up at the airport and being refused!

Thanks.

Is there an expiry date on the paper copy?

Just print one off from the app or use the app on his phone.

Why does he need a paper copy — app? Print one out

They are valid for a month when you download. No idea why, they just have the dates of your last vaccination on which only changes when you get the next dose.

Just go back into the app and generate a new one at the appropriate time (the expiry date is a month later). Print it out. I presume it doesn’t need to be an original but I don’t know where your husband is going and everywhere has their own rules. I travelled last month and a copy was fine.

I asked him and he said end of April so he'll be back then, thanks.

He's going to the US. He's a citizen so should be ok I just worried because he'd sent away for it too soon.

@Echofallen

I asked him and he said end of April so he'll be back then, thanks.

If he’s already received a copy it will expire by the end of February, so won’t he need a new one *@Echofallen* ? I’m going to the USA in March and will be taking a copy regardless of whether the regulations change, just in case they change back again!

He said the expiry date is end of April? He comes back at the start of April so should be ok, I hope?!

@Fupoffyagrasshole

Why does he need a paper copy — app? Print one out

Paper copies are much easier than faffing about with an app. Except that the NHS has now decided to make them expire, goodness knows why - if you have the date of the vaccines that should be all that matters. I'll have the same issue as mine expires at the end of Feb.

But the app let's you download a copy to print immediately so is actually less of a faff than requesting in in the post.

When we went away I printed mine off just in case my phone died or something. It's very easy, you just print it from the app. The only reason to send off for one is if you don't have a smart phone (I'm a vaccinator and recommend this to people who say they don't have a smart phone.
I presume the reason they expire is that if you get Covid you can't get it another one until 10 days later although in that context April doesn't make sense! I guess you probably have to have a negative PCR for the US as well?

That's good to know about the app. I will keep that in mind, thanks! Yeah I imagine that's why they have an expiry date. Yes he'll need the neg PCR to get in.