Ireland with unvaccinated 12 year old

[Elmo22]

I am travelling to Ireland to visit family before Christmas with my son. He will be 12 by the time we go. There is no sign of a vaccination appointment so I’m assuming it will be after Christmas. However, the guidelines for travelling to Ireland aren’t very clear - I’m thinking he needs a negative PCR test but I’m not sure of what else he needs for the airport. Can anyone help? My flights are booked but now I am panicking!

Are there any drop in clinics near you ?
Although 1 dose isn't fully vaccinated anyway

Travelling with children

Children under the age of 12 will not need to take a PCR test prior to travelling to Ireland or to undergo self-quarantine.

Children between the ages of 12 and 17 will be required to have a negative RT-PCR test, taken within 72 hours prior to arrival to travel into the country, unless they have valid proof of vaccination or recovery.

Children of any age, travelling with accompanying vaccinated or recovered adults will not be required to self-quarantine post arrival. However, where one accompanying adult needs to self-quarantine, then all children must also self-quarantine.

Looks like a PCR test is required

And you need passenger locator forms too

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland/entry-requirements

I’m afraid your son will definitely need a PCR test. You can only avoid that if fully vaccinated (ie 2 jabs) unless you are under 12. My 17 year old can’t get his second vaccination yet so very unlikely 12 year olds will be done by the time you are travelling

Thanks everyone for the info. Looks like I’ll def need to get a PCR test sorted for him. I’ll look at the passenger locator forms too - thanks for the link. It just seems like such a faff! Wishing I’d booked the boat now…

Presumably he hasn't had covid already? Because proof of recovery also accepted

@dementedpixie

Are there any drop in clinics near you ? Although 1 dose isn't fully vaccinated anyway

He’s not quite 12 yet and I don’t think there are any drop in clinics here so I’ll just need to sort the test. It just seems like a lot of hassle (and extra expense!) for a few days away but we are desperate to see family members we haven’t seen in many months. I’m sure it’ll be worth it when we get there 🙂

You don't need a vaccination appointment for 12 year olds in Scotland- any walk in will do it although some are specific to 12-16's at the moment. One vaccine is not fully vaccinated though so likely still need a test (unless ROI are one vaccine too)

@actiongirl1978

Presumably he hasn't had covid already? Because proof of recovery also accepted

No, he hasn’t had COVID (that I know of). I think I’m feeling nervous about flying and the uncertainty of tests etc is exacerbating that. I’ll be grand once I’m at the airport. Well, fingers crossed 😊

He’s not quite 12 yet and I don’t think there are any drop in clinics here

Google it - you'll probably be surprised, there are countless near me.

@liveforsummer

You don't need a vaccination appointment for 12 year olds in Scotland- any walk in will do it although some are specific to 12-16's at the moment. One vaccine is not fully vaccinated though so likely still need a test (unless ROI are one vaccine too)

Oh, I thought I had to wait until his appointment came through. I’ll phone the hotline and ask about the drop in clinics for after his birthday although I’m assuming clinics will be really busy just now.

Thanks everyone. Lots to research this weekend!

What local authority are you in?

I googled the other day (for myself- still not had my second) just typed in covid vaccine walk in and my health board (Lothian for me) loads came up via NHS website, obviously many in city but some in more rural areas too. All were for 12 + and some were 12-16 specific

@dementedpixie

What local authority are you in?

Lanarkshire.

Also the booked appointment at mass centres are busy as they are doing flu vaccines and boosters too at the same time. The smaller ones are not busy

Lanarkshire seems to be running drop in clinics at Ravenscraig at weekends just now. I'm also in Lanarkshire

I had a quick google. Ravenscraig and also Hamilton. Mobile service tbc

www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccine/

But only at weekends at the moment and first come first served

It's all detailed on here.. it wouldn't make a difference if you had booked the boat. www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_to_ireland/travel_to_ireland_during_covid.html#

Thanks everyone 🙂!

If you are going to Ravenscraig for the drop in both Saturday and Sunday this weekend they ran out of vaccines by 10am so be there by 8am to ensure you get seen.

The pcr tests for this really aren't too much of a hassle. We've got ours through Boots a few times. Just post it off and get the certificate via email to show at the airport. And you don't need one going back so it's only the one test.

Even if you'd booked the boat (I'd presume to Belfast) you'd still technically have needed the same to enter Ireland, although I'm 99% sure no one would ever check if you lie about your onward journey.