Vaccine conundrum

[EarlyModernEnglish]

We are due to go to Spain in July - roughly one month after my daughter turns 12. As she’s only 11, she has not been vaccinated. I don’t think I can book her a vaccine yet as she’s not eligible. But there won’t be time once she’s turned 12. What can I do?? Prepared to pay for it of course.

I thought that Spain had changed rules for age 12-17 and they can do PCR tests instead of being vaccinated

I think they can but that fills me with dread!!

You can't pay for vaccines.

I’d rather pay for a vaccine tbh.

But you can't pay for them
It's PCR or don't go

I thought age 5-11 could get vaccinated now

If it’s PCR or nothing obviously we’ll do that… but it makes me very nervous.

They have talked about tests for 5-11 year olds but nothing seems actually available yet…

Why are you nervous about a PCR test?

@dementedpixie

Why are you nervous about a PCR test?

I assume in case it comes back positive and they have to cancel.

Exactly!! I’ve just checked again and it says 12-17 year olds don’t need to be fully vaccinated but do need to do a test within 72 hours of arrival. Am I being thick - that seems to mean once you’re actually there…

@EarlyModernEnglish

Exactly!! I’ve just checked again and it says 12-17 year olds don’t need to be fully vaccinated but do need to do a test within 72 hours of arrival. Am I being thick - that seems to mean once you’re actually there…

It does sounds like that but I think it means 72 hours prior to your arrival.

That would make a lot more sense…

@EarlyModernEnglish

They have talked about tests for 5-11 year olds but nothing seems actually available yet…

5-11s will get the vaccine from the start of April, which might just about be time for you to get two doses in (it’s a 12 week gap for healthy 5-11 year olds), depending on when in July you are going. You should check whether Spain also requires the second dose to be at least xx days before you arrive.

There’s no way of paying for the vaccine in the UK.

Its 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain

They may change the rules by July so I’d not worry too much about it until closer to the time.

But she’d only be able to get one jab anyway as there’s supposed to be a 12 week gap between jabs for kids. You could get one done as a walk in depending where you live.

The 72 hours thing is stressing me out - how can you be sure you’ll get the results in time?

@Iggly

They may change the rules by July so I’d not worry too much about it until closer to the time.

But she’d only be able to get one jab anyway as there’s supposed to be a 12 week gap between jabs for kids. You could get one done as a walk in depending where you live.

Thank you. Yes, I’m hoping the rules will change! But I’m guessing one dose won’t cut it in terms of ‘fully vaccinated’

You pay for the PCR tests from private companies and the results are usually back really quickly

@dementedpixie

You pay for the PCR tests from private companies and the results are usually back really quickly

Ah - that sounds good 👍

Maybe ask for recommendations for companies others have used for PCR testing for going on holiday

Good idea.

Why worried about whether they come back in time? Have you not traveled at all these past two years.

All the companies I’ve used have your results back in less than 12 hours for PCR. Shortest was 6 hours miraculously. 72 hours beforehand gives you more than enough time, there are many clinics that offer short turn around times these days. Maybe do a cpl lateral flow before hand to ease your worry?

4th April for 5-11 jabs starting. If you can get in that week and again exactly 12 weeks later you might be ok depending on when in July you are going.

We are in a similar situation to you. We have to have the first jab by 16th April or our cruise will be cancelled as they have announced 5-11's have to be double vaccinated.

Luckily you can have a pcr, and that's the route I would go if I were you. We don't have that option. I see a lot of cheap cruises going in the summer as so many families will have to cancel.