Will booster doses be necessary for travel? Some nations are already saying yes.

Before planning your next getaway, you might need to factor in when you last received your COVID-19 vaccine dose.

In the U.S., you are deemed fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if two weeks have passed since your last dose. However, this is no longer sufficient to be considered fully vaccinated in all parts of the world, especially with the spread of the omicron variant. Numerous countries in the European Union, for instance, are imposing expiration dates on vaccines or necessitating proof of a COVID-19 booster shot.

As travelers prepare for trips in 2022, remember that booster shots will become more essential for travel — and it’s crucial to monitor the date of your last COVID-19 dose.

Implications of vaccine expiration dates for travel

Several countries have implemented regulations that restrict the validity period of COVID-19 vaccines required for entry without quarantine.

Croatia

As per the Croatian government, travelers entering the country must provide a vaccination certificate that is no older than 365 days if it’s a dose recognized by European Union Member States or the World Health Organization. Initially, Croatia set the vaccine validity to just 270 days, or under nine months.

Austria

In Austria, travelers arriving from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway must be fully vaccinated with a booster shot and present a negative PCR test starting December 25. All other travelers can show proof of full vaccination or a negative test, but a booster shot is not currently required for those outside the four specified countries.

Moreover, vaccine certificates for two-dose vaccines are currently valid for 270 days following the second or any subsequent dose. There must be a minimum of 14 days between the first and second doses and 120 days between the second and third. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine remains valid for 270 days, starting 22 days after the initial dose. Travelers who have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will require a booster shot to enter Austria beginning Jan. 3, 2022.

But don’t fret: You can still gain entry to Austria or Croatia even if your vaccine certificate has expired. Travelers arriving from the U.S. need only present a negative COVID-19 test, a vaccination card, or proof of prior infection. However, testing is at your own cost and can become quite expensive, particularly for families.

European Union

The European Union's "vaccine passports" will now be valid for nine months following the holder's first dose, meaning travelers will likely need a booster to remain compliant.

Starting Feb. 1, EU states will be required to allow fully vaccinated travelers to cross their borders without needing to present a negative test, provided they have a valid European Union COVID-19 certificate. However, seven EU countries (Italy, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Latvia, Cyprus, and Austria) mandate that all visitors show a negative COVID-19 test, regardless of vaccination status.

However, the nine-month expiration period is applicable only to travel, as we previously noted. Governments may choose to extend the validity of COVID-19 passes for events occurring within their own borders.

When can you receive a booster dose?

What matters is precisely when travelers received their coronavirus vaccination. Similar to pre-travel testing, timing will dictate whether travelers are still regarded as fully vaccinated.

For the millions of fully vaccinated Americans, the timing for a booster depends on which vaccine was administered. The CDC indicates that individuals who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are eligible for a booster six months after finishing the initial COVID-19 vaccination series. For example, if you were vaccinated with either of those in July 2021, you'd qualify for a booster in January 2022.

The guidelines differ slightly for those who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Recipients are advised to obtain a booster dose two months after completing the initial vaccination series. Thus, if you got a Johnson and Johnson shot in December 2021, you would be eligible for a booster in February 2022. Adults aged 18 and over can receive any COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States, while teens aged 16 to 17 are eligible for a Pfizer booster.

The initial rollout of vaccines began for healthcare workers in December 2020, meaning that for travel to certain destinations, the validity of vaccines may have expired as early as September for some individuals. Many Americans may now realize that it has been over six months since they received their vaccination.

If you’re concerned about the expiration date of your vaccine credentials, there are still a few options available, even if you are fully vaccinated.

How to ensure your vaccine credentials remain valid

To maintain current vaccine credentials for travel, it's advisable to book a booster shot as soon as you become eligible. This is the simplest method to keep your vaccination status updated. After receiving the booster, travelers should update their vaccine passport or paper CDC card with the booster date and vaccine lot number.

Like other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines lose effectiveness over time but still provide protection against severe symptoms, according to multiple studies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were about 84% effective at 13 to 24 weeks, or roughly three to 5.5 months. (The Johnson and Johnson vaccine was not included in this study.)

Maintaining an up-to-date vaccination status is just one of the factors travelers need to consider. There's typically a waiting period after receiving the final dose before someone is regarded as fully vaccinated, and travelers should also keep potential side effects in mind. Nobody wants to get a booster shot, board a plane, and then feel unwell for the first few days of their vacation.

Stay informed about updates

These regulations can be quite complex, even for the most experienced travelers, but travel agents are ready to adjust to yet another shift while planning trips amid a pandemic.

"[Travel] is an ever-changing landscape," stated John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group, one of the largest traditional travel agency companies. "What one country or destination has as a policy today might be different tomorrow, and changes can happen very quickly."

The rise in COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant has prompted states, cities, and local jurisdictions to impose new restrictions or vaccination requirements. Several Broadway shows in New York City were canceled due to COVID-19 outbreaks. In response to the variant, Washington, D.C. and Chicago have also recently introduced vaccine mandates for indoor activities.

This means travelers should be ready for entry requirements to shift unexpectedly — or at least remain open to the possibility.

"[Vaccine certificate expiration] is a relatively new phenomenon, but it’s not a crisis if everyone involved stays informed," Lindsay Taylor-Lauer, director of Coastline Travel Advisors, shared with TPG via email this fall. "The primary responsibility of travel advisors is to ensure that trips proceed smoothly by informing clients about these regulations as outlined by the respective governments and advising them accordingly."

In summary

This is the reality of traveling during a pandemic: preparing for sudden (and often unannounced) changes and the potential for your destination to implement new restrictions, including vaccine expiration dates.

Although the rules can feel overwhelming, you can reduce some stress by keeping track of when you received your final COVID-19 vaccine dose, arranging for a booster shot at your earliest convenience, and, most importantly, staying updated on the entry requirements for your destination.