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The European Union (EU) has announced a new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine rule, placing an expiry date of nine months at most for all COVID-19 vaccination certificates.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the new rule is applicable for all vaccinated travellers, who plan to visit the EU and Schengen Area countries from February.
All vaccinated travellers need to check whether their vaccination is valid for travel to these countries, based on the dates their vaccines were administered.
According to the announcement, the validity can be extended as soon as travellers have their booster shots administered.
The move comes as a result of a decision of the EU Commission to adopt new rules on the EU Vaccination Certificate revealed on December 21, 2021, after the proposal on the changes was backed by the EU Council as well.
According to the EU Commission, a uniform acceptance for vaccination certificates would guarantee the continuity of coordination on travel measures between the Member States.
“The new rules will ensure restrictions are based on the best available scientific evidence as well as objective criteria. Continued coordination is essential for the functioning of the Single Market, and it will provide clarity for EU citizens in the exercise of their right to free movement,” the Commission said in a press release issued at the time.
The decision has been welcomed by the Member States, and many of them have already or will be applying it before February 1.
Precisely 270 days after a person has received the second shot of a two-dose vaccine, and also 270 days after a person has taken a single-shot vaccine, the vaccination certificate will expire.
In order for a person to keep their vaccination status valid, the same will have to get vaccinated between six and nine months after they were administered their final COVID-19 vaccine.
If nine months pass, the same person should regain his/her vaccination status as soon as the same receive the booster shot.