Just heard today France is requiring COVID tests (within 48 hrs) for all non-EU entrants. Also, if you received the Janssen shot, a booster is required starting December 15. I guess I’ll head to a pharmacy as we fly the 15th!
France requires a PCR (Antigen if test include N protein) to be taken within 48 hours of your departure.
As of 15 December, all 65 and over need the booster shot, regardless of original vaccination version, for the pass sanitare. As of 15 January, all 18 and over will require the booster.
Tocard has explained the deal.
There are a couple of threads conveying this information since this was announced, here’s one if you are looking for more details
On the 48 hours requirement for a test:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/france-to-require-even-vaxxed-travelers-from-us-to-have-negative-test-as-of-sat-12-4
On the boosters being required (with differing dates depending on one's age group) to maintain the validity of one's pass sanitaire (was announced on Thanksgiving):
The newest change not mentioned in the last thread is the requirement for J&J recipients to need a booster to travel beginning on December 15.
Kim,
The new Jannsen rule was announced on December 2nd. I saw it on the TousAntiCovid app and I have put some further links at the bottom. It doesn't seem to apply to the vaccine equivalency certificates for tourists yet, but it probably will soon since it follows French vaccination schedules. I think they just haven't gotten around to updating the site yet or it's awaiting a decision in Monday's meeting.
https://www.sante.fr/obtenir-un-passe-sanitaire-en-cas-de-vaccination-letranger
The new rule states that those who received the Janssen vaccine must receive a mRNA booster by December 15th or their passe sanitaire will be deactivated, unless they received the Janssen vaccine less than two months before that date (1 month eligibility + 1 month grace period). This means anyone who received the Jannsen vaccine before 17 October will have their passe sanitaire deactivated on 15 December if they haven't received a booster by then.
Although it isn't specified in some of the sources, it has to be a mRNA booster due to the vaccination guidelines:
Le rappel vaccinal se fait uniquement avec un vaccin à ARNm (Pfizer-BioNTech ou Moderna), quel que soit le ou les vaccin(s) utilisé(s) précédemment.
See for example:
https://www.haute-savoie.gouv.fr/Actualites/Coronavirus-Covid-19/Pass-sanitaire
https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus/pass-sanitaire
https://ne.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-vaccination-troisieme-dose-et-passe-sanitaire
Thanks, 75018. Got it!