On 21 December, the European Commission adopted rules relating to the EU Digital COVID Certificate, establishing a binding acceptance period of 9 months (precisely 270 days) of vaccination certificates, following a primary 2-dose vaccination series or 1-dose series for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, for the purposes of intra-EU travel. A clear and uniform acceptance period for vaccination certificates will guarantee that travel measures among the EU countries continue to be coordinated.
The validity period of 9 months takes into account the guidance of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, according to which booster doses are recommended at the latest six months after the completion of the first vaccination cycle. The Certificate will remain valid for a grace period of an additional three months beyond those six months to ensure that national vaccination campaigns can adjust and citizens will have access to booster doses.
These new rules will apply from 1 February 2022.
The Commission has earlier proposed to update the rules on coordination of safe and free movement in the EU. Updates pertaining to the EU Digital COVID certificate are:
- Focus on a ‘person-based approach': A person who has a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate should in principle not be subject to additional restrictions, such as tests or quarantine, regardless of their place of departure in the EU. Persons without an EU Digital COVID Certificate could be required to undergo a test carried out prior to or after arrival.
- Booster shots: As of yet, there are no studies expressly addressing the effectiveness of boosters on the transmission of COVID-19 and therefore it is not possible to determine an acceptance period for boosters. However, given the emerging data, it can be expected that protection from booster vaccinations may last longer than that resulting from the primary vaccination series. On the basis of new scientific evidence on this issue, the Commission may, if needed, propose an appropriate acceptance period also for vaccination certificates issued following a booster.
The Commission also proposed an updated framework for travel from outside the EU, prioritising vaccinated travellers, with strong safeguards.
- Member States should reopen systematically to those vaccinated with vaccines having completed the WHO emergency use listing process, in addition to reopening to those vaccinated with EU-approved vaccines as is the case today. As an essential safeguard, proof of a negative PCR test will always be required for all travellers who have been vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine that is not approved by the European Medicines Agency, and for recovered travellers. The updates also introduce a time limit of 9 months for the acceptance of vaccination certificates after the primary vaccination series. The updates also include acceptance of vaccination certificates issued after an additional (“booster”) dose.
- Member States should accept non-EU vaccination and recovery certificates deemed equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate.
These updates are currently under discussion with Member States
How can citizens get the certificate?
National authorities are in charge of issuing the certificate. It could, for example, be issued by test centres or health authorities, or directly via an eHealth portal.
- Vaccination certificates are issued by the Member State where the vaccination has been administered.
- Test certificates are issued by the Member State where the test has taken place.
- Recovery certificates are issued by the Member State where the recovered person is located.
Information on how to get the certificate should be provided by the national health authorities.
The digital version can be stored on a mobile device. Citizens can also request a paper version. Both will have a QR code that contains essential information, as well as a digital signature to make sure the certificate is authentic.
Member States have agreed on a common design that can be used for the electronic and paper versions to facilitate the recognition.
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