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Autumn Italy Travel w/ booster older than 6 months

OK, here goes.....

I am fully vaccinated and boostered, receiving my booster December 8. Current Italy guidelines state that the booster must be within 6 months of visiting Italy. I realize there are talks of some restrictions being dropped and that would solve all of this. But..... what if they aren't? I contacted the CDC and I cannot get a 2nd booster prior to my autumn travel. I hate to pay for a RS tour, or plan my own, and then not be able to be admitted to public places because my booster is more than 6 months old. What are folks doing in regard to this? Not worrying and figuring it will all work out? Those of you going on a fall RS tour, what are they saying in regard to this? I'm NOW thinking of switching to a spring tour so I am able to travel without worry, but it's not the tour I really wanted, and I'd prefer to go this fall. Thoughts? Help?

I've emailed RS Tours and left a voicemail, but have not been able to connect with anyone on this.

Thanks for your help! :)

Posted by
8953 posts

You are not reading the current (March 2022) entrance requirements correctly according to this from US State Department
"An Anti-COVID 19 vaccination certificate for an European Medicines Agency (EMA)-recognized vaccine. At present, EMA recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, AstraZeneca and Novavax. The date of the last dose of the primary vaccination series must be at least 14 days prior to travel and no more than 270 days before arrival unless a booster shot was administered. Travelers vaccinated in the United States can prove this via the “white card” bearing the CDC logo."

You will note that the 270 day requirement refers to the primary vaccination series and is only important if a booster was not given.

The requirements change again April 1st with even fewer restrictions. There is no need to change to a spring tour if a fall tour is what you want. There is a need to keep up with requirements so I would check official sites frequently.

Here is a link to an article about how requirements are changing.
https://www.thelocal.it/20220317/italy-set-to-end-covid-super-green-pass-requirement-from-may-1st/

Posted by
40 posts

This is the current (as of 3/15/22) ruling as published on schengenvisainfo.com for entering public places, not the country itself........ Am I reading this incorrectly? The first two paragraphs are in regard to entering public places, which is certainly the point of me going, and then further states that I CAN enter if I have tests every 72 hours. I'm not interested in doing that. Yes, this spring there is talk of these requirements easing, but it is not written in stone at this point.

Italy’s Current Domestic COVID-19 Restrictions
Despite the improved COVID-19 situation, Italy continues to keep its domestic measures in place. The country requires travellers, as well as citizens of the country, to present a vaccination or recovery certificate issued within the last six months or a negative COVID-19 test result in order to be permitted entry to bars, cafes, restaurants, museums, theatres, and other events.

Those who have been vaccinated or recovered from the virus more than six months ago need to undergo testing to be permitted access to the majority of public places and events.

“To those who come from a foreign country and are in possession of a certificate of healing or vaccination with a vaccine authorized or recognized as equivalent in Italy, in the event that more than six months have passed since the completion of the vaccination cycle or after recovery, access is allowed to services and activities for which the Enhanced Green Pass is required after carrying out a rapid (48-hour validity) or molecular (72-hour validity) antigen test,” the authorities added.

Posted by
8953 posts

You are still missing the idea that the 6 months quoted here refers to the original two dose series. A booster eliminates that time constraint. Also, as shown in many articles and news releases, the green pass is going away and will not be an issue in a short time. Did you read the article I linked?

This is confusing. I get it. However, it makes no sense to get all worked up about requirements that are going away. I am headed to Italy in August, had my booster last October, and I am not at all concerned about this issue at this time.