Breaking: France postpones the rollout of the vaccine pass until Monday - Dinogo

Nowadays, gaining entry to a bar or restaurant in Paris requires more than just looking attractive, stylish, or having the right connections. A booster shot is also necessary, and there are still numerous questions surrounding it. The "pass vaccinal," or vaccine pass, originally set to launch on January 21, will now be implemented on Monday, January 24, according to my sources at Atout France, the official tourism agency of the country.

My updates on the newly introduced vaccine pass continue to engage TPG readers, as I'm here once again this week to address your inquiries about the latest developments regarding the pass. Why discuss anything else when this topic is so relevant?

To be fair, it has been pointed out to me (multiple times) that the initial question I intended to address last week remains unresolved:

Hello Caroline,

I found your article about France intriguing - it began with a reader's question. However, I believe you overlooked the essence of the question, as you didn't provide an answer.

Hello, thank you for bringing that to our attention. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the answer back then, and despite our efforts, we still don’t have it now.

Let’s begin with the information we do have.

As of January 15, all visitors to France (aged 18 and older) must present proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination, along with evidence of a third dose or booster, to acquire a vaccine pass.

According to the U.S. Embassy, the booster must be given between three to seven months after your last vaccine dose in order to successfully obtain the vaccine pass. However, it remains uncertain whether individuals can receive the new pass if more than seven months have elapsed between the second dose and the booster.

In other words, if you received your second dose in February and your booster in November, as was the situation with the reader we discussed last week, does that nine-month interval prevent you from obtaining the vaccine pass for your trip this spring?

We are still working on understanding how those outside the specified timeline can acquire a pass. We will keep searching for a solution and will address the numerous questions as soon as we have answers.

In the meantime, let’s recap what we know.

1. Is a booster necessary to enter the country?

No, a booster shot is not required for entry into the country.

As I mentioned last week, visitors do not need a booster to successfully provide proof of full vaccination for travel to France.

"For entry purposes only, individuals with any vaccines authorized for use in the United States do not need a booster dose to be classified as fully vaccinated," stated the U.S. Embassy.

You only need the booster to obtain the vaccine pass, which is extremely important if you're planning to visit France.

2. How can individuals who received a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (like J&J) provide proof of a booster?

Recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can use either a Pfizer or Moderna booster as proof of their additional dose.

3. If my health pass has been deactivated, can I reactivate it by getting a booster?

Individuals who obtained a health pass before the booster requirements that were implemented on January 15 should be eligible for a new pass, provided they present accurate and valid proof of vaccination as required.

As a reminder, "foreign visitors who already possess a Pass Sanitaire ... must visit a pharmacy to provide evidence of their third dose (in addition to their initial vaccination) and have the pharmacy update their pass," Atout France informed us last week.

4. Will there be a charge for obtaining a new vaccine pass?

You can expect to pay 35 euros (approximately $40) for a vaccine pass at participating French pharmacies.

5. My partner's vaccine card got washed and is now in shreds. He has his state vaccine records, a photo of the card, and the Excelsior Pass. How important is the physical CDC card for obtaining a French health pass?

Unfortunately, you must present your physical vaccination card issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to obtain a pass in France.

Rest assured, you will be the first to receive any updates on Monday. Until then, keep in mind that COVID-19 regulations are constantly evolving. Countries are adapting their rules in response to shifting COVID-19 data as new variants arise, alongside the already challenging task of managing a functioning nation. While I've criticized the French government in the past for their inconsistent policies, it's important to recognize the enormity of the challenge they face.

Have a question for next week? Feel free to email me at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also follow me on Instagram @cctanner and send me a direct message there.