Booster No Longer Required for Rick Steves Tours in 2023

I think the biggest driver for requiring a booster, under certain conditions, was the requirement that nearly every European country defined fully vaccinated as the original course, and an mRNA Booster for most of the last year. That is no longer a requirement for entry to any European country (nor is a vaccination at all)

I believe this title is misleading. If you google "What is fully vaccinated per CDC guidelines" it will take you the CDC website where it most certainly mentions boosters. I encourage people to do their own research on this topic.

I did find this one quote which supports the position of the OP
Am I still considered “fully vaccinated” if I don’t get a booster?
Yes, you are fully vaccinated even if you haven't gotten your booster yet. The definition of fully vaccinated does not include a COVID-19 booster. Fully vaccinated, however, is not the same as having the best protection. People are best protected when they stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, which includes getting a booster when eligible.

However, the major emphasis on the site talks about boosters and which ones might be appropriate to provide maximum protection.

Fully vaccinated per CDC, related to individuals who want to travel to the US defining the requirements to be allowed to enter..

You are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart*

If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT considered fully vaccinated. A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html

Gail is correct.

I too would encourage individuals to do their research to make an informed decision. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiT3JGhzuD7AhVoJTQIHenaBuIQFnoECBAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2Ffaq.html&usg=AOvVaw1hot91sih7Qjc9SVpFxWUV

I think the point of the OP is that previously, you were required to show a vaccination card with the original course and a booster to take the tour. Since then it is merely defined as "fully vaccinated per CDC guidelines" which the RS staff has concurred that means the original course only.

Of course, I do not think anyone is suggesting you should not get the booster, or that it is not a good thing, just defining a minimum requirement. As I stated, no country right now is requiring proof of vaccination or testing for travel, that does not mean they no longer think vaccinations are needed. You can do all the self research you want, but that is the way it stands now.

The intent of my post was to clarify the revised vaccination requirement. For some travelers this can mean the difference between going on a Rick Steves tour or not. It was never intended to be a statement for or against boosters.