The issue of teens and single vaccinations for travel

FashionLadies · 2021-11-14T14:19:11+00:00

I’m trying to decide on a holiday for next year but as we have dc age 13 and 14, at the moment we are limited due to the requirement to be double vaccinated. The issue doesn’t seem to be being discussed anywhere, is this because people are expecting country rules to change? Or expecting our Govt to change? Or just looking at countries that don’t have these rules? Would be really interested to know.

abricotine · 14/11/2021 14:38

Skiers have been aware of this issue for a long time as these requirements are in full swing in Europe this coming winter. Even if you can get in, many countries require them for restaurants etc. There were articles in the i, Times and even the Sun this weekend on this issue. If you are looking to book a summer holiday then I suspect the situation will have moved on by then in some way. Every country's rules are
so different it's difficult to advise/discuss in general terms in a useful way. At the moment, some countries are OK so long as teenagers are tested on the way in, others have more widespread restrictions and some will permit regular testing on holiday to enable them to access venues etc.

bizboz · 14/11/2021 14:44

Yes, the UK's teens are screwed for travelling to many places unless you can afford to pay for multiple tests while you are away. I suspect it hasn't got much attention because it is a relatively small part of the population as a whole and if you things it will be dismissed as a middle class problem (which it probably is to be fair, although I also have issues with how effective just one dose of the vaccine is).

I do think there is a misunderstanding around this issue too though. I've seen a couple of people on here posting recently that as the UK government is only offering one jab to terms that means they are fully vaccinated as they have had the maximum dose offered. They don't seem to understand that in most other countries that is not accepted as fully vaccinated.

superram · 14/11/2021 14:59

I’m running a school trip, I have to lateral flow 75 kids every 72 hours….

poshme · 14/11/2021 15:07

What annoys me is you can't get any proof of vaccination for teens.
My kids have had covid & 1 jab, so are considered 'fully vaccinated' in some countries like France.
But I can't prove it! I can prove the infection by NHS confirmation email, but absolutely no proof of the vaccine at all.

So I'm going to have to pay for tests to go to France, and then LFT every 72 hours at €36 each.

Serenschintte · 14/11/2021 15:15

Depends where you go. Switzerland no vaccine requirement for under 16s. So that’s an option.

521Jeanie · 14/11/2021 15:18

@Serenschintte

Depends where you go. Switzerland no vaccine requirement for under 16s. So that’s an option.

Same problem for 16 and 17yo though. I'm not really planning to go abroad but I still feel mad at how they have overlooked young people again and again and again for the last 20 months. They have given up so much.

Nutella22 · 14/11/2021 15:20

I think travel is also going to be difficult for double-vaccinated under 50s in the UK next year as well as teens who are only offered one dose. It's unlikely under 50s will get a booster in the UK but it looks like some European countries will offer to all. I probably wouldn't book anything abroad for next year until we know more about the booster situation.

jiggeryjaggerywoo · 14/11/2021 15:27

@poshme

What annoys me is you can't get any proof of vaccination for teens. My kids have had covid & 1 jab, so are considered 'fully vaccinated' in some countries like France. But I can't prove it! I can prove the infection by NHS confirmation email, but absolutely no proof of the vaccine at all.

So I'm going to have to pay for tests to go to France, and then LFT every 72 hours at €36 each.

My 12yo was given a card when he had his

alrightfella · 14/11/2021 15:34

@jiggeryjaggerywoo the card is worthless it's not accepted as proof.

It's a rubbish situation, and no one seems to care as I'm guessing it only affects a small percentage.

My 16yr old has the app and has had one vaccine but can't get a covid pass on there as that only works if you have been double vaccinated.

My 14 year old has had one vaccine but can't even get the app as he's under 16 so won't work.

The only thing I reckon will change things is if some politicians have 12-17 year old single vaccinated kids and want to go on holiday.

Original poster

FashionLadies · 14/11/2021 15:36

I hadn’t even thought of the under 50s! I do feel somewhat reassured though that I’m not the only one thinking about all of this. Everyone I know in real life is booking holidays and not even giving it any thought. Apart from 1 going skiing - which confirms what a pp said

OP posts:

Overthebow · 14/11/2021 15:36

My 12yo was given a card when he had his

The vaccine cards aren’t accepted as proof in many countries, you need the NHS pass.

Clymene · 14/11/2021 15:36

Nowhere will accept a card as proof of vaccination @jiggeryjaggerywoo

Even if they're double vaccinated, you can't get a digital pass unless you're over 16

It's annoying!

Original poster

FashionLadies · 14/11/2021 15:38

Love your last sentence @alrightfella - let’s hope they want to go to France or Italy!

OP posts:

MrsPleasant · 14/11/2021 15:40

Like the majority of people, we haven't been abroad since this began and were looking forward to going next year as a post GCSE treat. I cannot face booking anything until I know what the situation is.

jiggeryjaggerywoo · 14/11/2021 15:54

We're desperate to to France again. We didn't dare last or this summer even though I think we could have done, so the thought of another year without leaving the country again is horrid. Yes of course it's a first world problem but I'm just so fed up now!

oopsinamechangedagain2021 · 14/11/2021 16:52

Really annoyed about this. We're going to France soon and my eldest has only had one vaccine as he's under 17 and 9 months. Wish I could just pay for him to have it privately.

rookiemere · 14/11/2021 20:17

We've booked to go skiing in France with DS15 in February. Hoping things change by then or it will be a huge pain in the ass to get him tested. But definitely thinking a ski trip of teens is worse !

happytoday73 · 14/11/2021 20:19

There are options if haven't had covid in few months before travel...so will pass a PCR for entry... Ie Turkey, Spain, Greece, Egypt, tunisia (if AI) were all eaiser than say France when I looked a month or so ago...but may change

HermioneWeasley · 14/11/2021 20:25

It’s a bloody nightmare

FlyingFlamingo · 14/11/2021 20:32

It’s even harder for us as a family with family in France - we can’t just swap to a different holiday destination. I would happily stay in the U.K. next year and save the hassle but we haven’t visited DH’s family since 2019.

We also go to Efteling every few years but dd1 wouldn’t even be allowed into the Netherlands without isolating for 5 days and doing a test to release.

I think as soon as a cabinet MP realises they can’t take their teenager abroad it’ll change though

TheElderleyBrothers · 14/11/2021 20:46

I don't know the details but apparently under 16's can go on your nhs Covid app by proxy. So it will work for access to countries that accept, infection + 1 jab. Doesn't work for France. My kids are eating le Pic nique in la salle de sac h'ors this winter 😂 might also bring a flask for their chocolate chaude 😉⛷

rookiemere · 14/11/2021 20:57

@TheElderleyBrothers I thought teens could go inside places provided they had their up to date test results?
May need to rethink trip otherwise as shared lunch at the mountain hut was one of our daily highlights. Mind you may all have changed by February.

TheExtraGuineaPig · 14/11/2021 23:04

Yes they (single jabbed teens) can get a Pass Sanitaire in France by testing - in France- every 72 hours. If you're headed to Austria on the other hand only 2 jabs will do.

I get some people might say it's a middle class problem (because it's affecting skiers) but the point is it's ONLY affecting teenagers and their families. It's affecting those of us with families overseas and it's affecting school trips - and for lots of kids that's the only time they get to go abroad. If you're any other age at all you can choose to be vaccinated and go overseas.

It's our single jab policy that is the issue as we're outliers. Why aren't they/we given the choice for a second jab and the extra protection? I can't help think it's because they can't do it - either because then everyone will want proof and the app can't handle minors' details (maybe?) or they just aren't ready for another big vaccine push.

poshme · 15/11/2021 07:30

@TheElderleyBrothers I tried to get my teens on my app as proxy. GP said I couldn't because they're over 13, so I can no longer access their records.

Clymene · 15/11/2021 08:16

@TheExtraGuineaPig

Yes they (single jabbed teens) can get a Pass Sanitaire in France by testing - in France- every 72 hours. If you're headed to Austria on the other hand only 2 jabs will do.

I get some people might say it's a middle class problem (because it's affecting skiers) but the point is it's ONLY affecting teenagers and their families. It's affecting those of us with families overseas and it's affecting school trips - and for lots of kids that's the only time they get to go abroad. If you're any other age at all you can choose to be vaccinated and go overseas.

It's our single jab policy that is the issue as we're outliers. Why aren't they/we given the choice for a second jab and the extra protection? I can't help think it's because they can't do it - either because then everyone will want proof and the app can't handle minors' details (maybe?) or they just aren't ready for another big vaccine push.

It's irrelevant if they're double jabbed. One of mine is double jabbed for medical reasons but because they're under 16, they can't get a digital passport.