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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Travelling with children who have just turned 12?

12 replies

pastahat · 27/12/2021 13:50

Hi - I have been trying to work this out and can’t find the answer anywhere!
We’re considering trying to go somewhere in Europe for Summer 2022. However, DD2 turns 12 at the start of July, meaning she certainly won’t have time to have both vaccinations before the summer holidays. The rest of us are/ will be fully vaccinated by then. So I’m assuming this means she will count as unvaccinated and be subject to entry pcr tests/ regular tests depending on the country? All the country regulations I’ve looked at say under 12s are exempt, but 12 and over must show evidence of vaccinations to enter restaurants etc. Has anyone worked this out? I was wondering if in reality certain places allow them to be eg 12 years 3 months before expecting them to be fully vaccinated, or this is just a loophole we’ll have to work round?
Thanks very much

OP posts:

Phox · 27/12/2021 13:58

We’re in exactly the same situation, and I’ve come to the same conclusion. I wondered if the govt might extend the vaccinations to 5-11 yo’s which would solve the problem, but I think they’ll stick with it just being for the vulnerable in that age group.

cheeseismydownfall · 27/12/2021 14:01

Also in the same situation - hoping to travel to France with DD who turns 12 at the beginning of July. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping there is clear and workable guidance on place by then. Realistically I think there is no point over thinking it right now, the situation just isn't clear enough.

Jane1727 · 27/12/2021 14:19

We are the same. Travelling to a Spanish Island in July when my child will have just turned 12 (less than a week before) I believe Spain currently aren't allowing over 12's in if they are not double vaccinated. Not sure if the fact he has only been 12 for 6 days will mean he is allowed or not! I am hoping by then things will have changed and it won't be an issue.

lebkuchenforxmas · 27/12/2021 18:53

The rules for Spain are pretty clear and it's not as if you can pretend your DC is a few days/weeks younger as you obviously have passports to hand stating their date of birth.

Roselilly36 · 27/12/2021 19:04

Rules may change before the summer, once flu season is over and Spanish gov have realised the financial impact of these rules on tourism, you won’t be the only family in this predicament, a recent DM poll said that 50% of travellers are ruling out a holiday abroad in 2022, that statistic really shocked me. I hope you have your holiday as planned OP.

Cattitudes · 27/12/2021 19:16

By that time they might be on boosters or more for over 12s. I think they might move to whether you have had a vaccine within the last x months otherwise we will always be behind however many children living in that country are on.

MalbecandToast · 27/12/2021 19:20

Thought this was going to be a whinge about them now being adult prices

Jane1727 · 27/12/2021 19:58

@lebkuchenforxmas I understand the rules are clear. However when we booked the holiday those rules weren't in place. I am hoping if we can't go we can get a refund but plan on speaking to the travel company in the new year.

Original poster

pastahat · 27/12/2021 20:51

Thanks all - I’m glad I’m not missing anything obvious! Hopefully things will become clearer with time, you would think so as it must affect 12 year olds all over Europe not being able to do much for a few months whilst they get fully vaccinated (I suppose some countries are vaccinating younger now).
We haven’t booked anything yet but after weeks of grey skies it’s very tempting….
@Jane1727 - I hope you manage to get away to Spain !

OP posts:

Davina69 · 29/12/2021 16:17

We are also in this position as my DS will be 12 in March. Throw in the fact he has SN and can't cope with wearing a mask for any length of time and it looks like holidays abroad are out of the question for quite some time !

freckles20 · 30/12/2021 13:54

@pastahat

Thanks all - I’m glad I’m not missing anything obvious! Hopefully things will become clearer with time, you would think so as it must affect 12 year olds all over Europe not being able to do much for a few months whilst they get fully vaccinated (I suppose some countries are vaccinating younger now). We haven’t booked anything yet but after weeks of grey skies it’s very tempting…. *@Jane1727* - I hope you manage to get away to Spain !

I don't think it's a problem for many other 'European' countries except the UK- as we are so far behind with vaccinating our 12-15 year olds.

It is really hard to travel with a young person of this age atm. My son can't have his second vaccine until end February by which time these counties will be asking for boosters for his age range. So he is always one step behind.

GougeAway · 30/12/2021 16:26

My DD has a late August birthday and I have provisionally booked accommodation for last two weeks of August 2022. I am thinking about ditching the whole trip. We’re travelling independently at 4 places in 2 weeks. Too stressful I think. We’ll lose a deposit on one place but I don’t want to further commit and worry about it.

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