Hi. I need some expert advice please. We have a tour scheduled for Paris, Normandy and Loire Valley in June but it’s in jeopardy because of the new recommendations from France that visitors need to have their booster shot no later than 9 months after the 2nd dose. I’m good but my husband is 10 months over his last shot and is only scheduled for his booster next week. I posted this question on Facebook and someone who was in the same situation said she got in touch with the US Embassy in Paris and she was told that they will be okay to travel. I emailed here and they responded quoting the US Embassy post and basically stated that my husband will not be considered fully vaccinated and will have to show a “compelling reason to travel”, 7 day self-isolation period, etc. We have until 1st week of March to make a decision. Should we cancel the trip and go to plan B which is Spain (they just require a booster shot with no specific time frame), wait and see what happens in 3 weeks, or go ahead with our trip as scheduled? Help and thanks!
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2703 posts
If your husband is more than 9 months from his second Covid shot, he needs the booster before he can enter France. For tourists, it makes no difference when you get the booster, but the required mRNA booster becomes valid 7 days after it is received.
Posted by
26 posts
Not sure you are reading the new requirement right.
This means that all persons who have been vaccinated more than nine months ago are considered unvaccinated, and thus, need to follow the rules that are applied to those who have not received the required vaccine doses.
So your husband would be considered unvaccinated without a booster at this point, but getting a booster is all he needs.
Posted by
OP
Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
78 posts
I’m confused because this is what the Rick Steves travel advisors wrote me (after quoting the US Embassy post):
From this, if you travel to France next month and did not get your booster within that 9-month window, you would be considered not fully vaccinated so you would be "required to show a compelling reason for travel, undergo a 7-day self-isolation period upon arrival, and retest upon arrival and at the end of the self-isolation period."
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7168 posts
if you travel to France next month
you are not going til June?
Posted by
OP
Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
78 posts
Yes, but I need to decide soon whether to cancel or switch to a different tour so as not to lose our deposit.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7168 posts
Then you just need to get the booster and you are good to go.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2703 posts
Not sure who this travel advisor is, but he is only partially correct. 9 months from the 2nd dose your husband is considered as unvaccinated but all he need do is get a mRNA booster. That's it.
Please do not worry about this nor change any of your plans. Just have him get the booster.
Posted by
OP
Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
78 posts
Thank you for all your replies and your assurances. Sorry for my impertinence but what do you think of this statement from the US Embassy:
As of February 1, French authorities require a traveler age 18 and over to receive a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine no later than 9 months after the second dose (the single dose for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) to be considered fully vaccinated for entry into France.
The “no later than 9 months” statement is what worries me.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2703 posts
That is the direct translation from the French which was written for those living in France. Consider the concept of continuously eligible. A resident of France is no longer continuously eligible for entry if it has been 9 months or more since receiving the 2nd shot. It is disqualifying, but only until the booster is received.
You are not disqualified for life if the booster was not received within 9 months of the 2nd dose, but you absolutely must have the booster after the 9 month timeframe.
Posted by
OP
Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
78 posts
Thank you so much! That eases my mind. Your advice is very much appreciated!
Posted by
98 posts
Jovie,
Go to the posing under France title new covid rules. There are 44 posts on this topic. Some of us heard directly from the American embassy in Paris. Your husband must have an mRNA booster.
Nonnie
Posted by
OP
Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
78 posts
Nonnie, thank you so much!!! That thread really helped a lot and answered all my questions! Paris, here we come!