The issue of teens and single vaccinations for travel

[FashionLadies]

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.

[alrightfella]

Not sure if you've all seen but 16 & 17 yr olds at least are getting a second jab...

[abricotine]

@Clymene it’s not irrelevant as if they fix the NHS travel passport (which apparently they are working on…) those of us with single jabbed teenagers will still have the issue. It’s just there are two aspects to the problem!

[megletthesecond]

I've already had a reply from my MP about this. DD is meant to be going to France with the school ar Easter. Hope it's OK to paste it here,

"Given the success of the rollout amongst adults, it is possible to take a more precautionary approach to rollout among younger people.
This means that first doses will be prioritised and recommendations on the second dose will be delayed to allow the JCVI to provide the best available advice with the latest information for the second dose. This approach will ensure younger people are provided with some immediate protection from severe disease.

I understand that the aim is for the second dose to be given later as this will extend protection for a longer period, however further data and the potential availability of alternative vaccine options will inform exact details which will be set out in due course."

So probably a second jab at some point. Hopefully not before long. Possibly once us under 50's are mostly done.

[Bellie99]

It's just been recommended by JCVI that 16 &17 year olds can have second jab. Not much help for under 16's though

[Zodlebud]

Whilst it hasn’t been announced as a policy, when I signed my permission slip for my 12 year old to have her first jab, the wording asked if I was happy for them to receive the full course. I have assumed that this was to prevent the need to have to collect all the forms again if the government announces they can have a second jab. They have also pushed back the HPV vaccination programme until the summer this year. I am therefore pretty sure they will give out second jabs in the new year as a result.

Let’s be honest though. Boosters for older people absolutely should be given priority over second jabs to allow teenagers to go on holiday. I say that as someone desperate to go somewhere (anywhere) abroad BUT would prioritise getting this country back to as normal as it can be any day.

[TheExtraGuineaPig]

I completely agree with you that boosters are the priority - I just can't see why they can't do both... Johnson already said the delay in boosters has been due to demand, not supply.

And of course it's not just to go abroad - Covid is awful and they miss loads of school, put each other at risk etc etc.

Fingers crossed they get on with second doses soon!

[rookiemere]

Unfortunately the jury is out if teenagers actually get any benefit from a second dose, but the memo doesn't seem to have arrived to the rest of the world.
I can cope with the LFT every 72 hrs for DS if we have to, but it would be a lot more pleasant not to have to.

[Clymene]

[quote abricotine]@Clymene it’s not irrelevant as if they fix the NHS travel passport (which apparently they are working on…) those of us with single jabbed teenagers will still have the issue. It’s just there are two aspects to the problem![/quote]
If ...

[Mamamia35]

Can't help thinking that if Brexit hadn't happened we'd align with Europe on the teen policy and this issue wouldn't exist.

This is a big deal. It restricts anyone with teens and penalises poorer families who will have saved hard for a foreign holiday. It could be £100 per child (and much more if going to France if LFD are required to get into restaurants, though I can't see this referenced anywhere - is that correct or would the entry PCR allow kids to get the French pass?).

Need to write to our MPs to get the government to lobby harder for single vaxxed teens.

[Echobelly]

DD (13) just went to Italy with family members and her cousin, also 13. You're supposed to have a LFT within last 48 hours to get into most places if you're not double vaxxed, and allegedly they're available in pharmacies, but they couldn't find any in the city where they were (they were told to go back to the airport). It was OK as weather was nice and they just stuck to walking around, boat trips and being outdoors for a long weekend, but do bear in mind if going to Italy that tests may not be widely available.

[Seriously79]

I have to believe by next summer things will be a lot different. We have booked Disney with 4 kids, it's a long time away yet.

The tourist trade will soon open up. It has too!

[jjj321]

It's a pain in the bottom. We chose Switzerland for skiing ahead of France for that reason, my under 16 doesn't have restrictions with vaccinated parents. I think (though I could be wrong) that he'd have had to have lateral flow tests every 3 days to enter restaurants in France.

Before the recent announcement, I had managed to get my 17 year old his second jab ahead of time. Some of our local centre were allowing this (his friends had theirs too). I'm hoping this may be similarly relaxed for under 16s by next summer as we've booked a cruise and you have to be double vaccinated. There's no testing alternative for under 16s (though the cruise line has said they'll refund us if the U.K. government isn't double vaccinating under 16s).

I know holidays aren't the be all and end all, but it has become really quite tricky travelling with a 12-15 year old on a single vaccination.

[reallyagain]

I was able to get my 13yo added to my NHS app and his first dose shows on his records (clearly no use for countries requiring full vaccine, just saying it's possible to get them on the app record)

[reallyagain]

Austria will accept evidence of positive pcr test with the last 180 days as a criteria for accessing hotels etc

[massistar]

@reallyagain

I was able to get my 13yo added to my NHS app and his first dose shows on his records (clearly no use for countries requiring full vaccine, just saying it's possible to get them on the app record)

@reallyagain how did you get your 13YO added?

We're going to visit family in Italy at Christmas and skiing. My 16yo will have had his second dose by then so can get his Covid passport but not my 12yo. She's only just had her first so think Italy will accept that if I can get proof!

[reallyagain]

I called the GP surgery and they added him there and then

[massistar]

Brilliant. Thank you. Will give that a go!

I'm in Wales so crossing fingers it's the same.

[SleepingStandingUp]

@Nutella22

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.

I went for my booster (group 6) and was queried as I was under 40 so they're def doing 40+ here

[poshme]

@reallyagain

I was able to get my 13yo added to my NHS app and his first dose shows on his records (clearly no use for countries requiring full vaccine, just saying it's possible to get them on the app record)

@reallyagain how did you get them added? My doctor said I can't get access to teenage records even though NHS says I should be able to.
My GP doesn't allow it and told me to call 119 for a letter.

[poshme]

Sorry just saw your update.
Might write to my GP and formally request it.

[reallyagain]

That's annoying, I've heard of someone else being declined for. 13year old so it seems really inconsistent. The receptionist I spoke to checked with a doctor while I was on hold

[massistar]

Doesn't work in Wales unfortunately. My GP has sent me PDF records of my DD's first vaccine and her positive PCR. It looks as if the local health authority in Italy may issue her a Green Pass on that basis. Have emailed them to check. But that's only because she has dual citizenship.

[Busybee5000]

I didn’t know this. What a nightmare, more worry! Does anyone know if you must use french ltfs or can we take a stash of UK tests. I suspect the first.....

[650above]

Self testing doesn't count for the French covid pass - you need to get it administered by a health care professional. Lots of testing available in pharmacies with results in about 20 min for the antigen. Think it is about €25 euro a go for tourists.

[Busybee5000]

@650above

Self testing doesn't count for the French covid pass - you need to get it administered by a health care professional. Lots of testing available in pharmacies with results in about 20 min for the antigen. Think it is about €25 euro a go for tourists.

Thanks very much for this. Wow, so multiple tests and finding a pharmacy every 72 hours. What a holiday