Do over 65s need Covid booster jab to leave France from December 15?
From December 15, people aged 65 or over will need to have received a booster dose for the health pass to remain valid. However, the rules for travel are separate
Booster shots have been open to people over 65s since the beginning of September in France
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Reader question: France has a new rule that from December 15, everyone aged 65 and over must have had a booster vaccination to extend their health pass. I won’t get my booster until I’m back in the UK (we are currently at our second home in France). Will I encounter issues leaving France to go home for Christmas?
Short answer: Our reader will still be able to travel to the UK from France after December 15 without having had a booster dose.
From December 15, a booster Covid jab will be required for all over 65s who received their second vaccine dose over seven months ago and who wish to continue using their vaccination certificate as part of the health pass scheme.
Booster shots have been open to people in this age bracket since the beginning of September in France.
France’s health pass is used to access public places in the country, such as restaurants, cinemas, museums, etc. Proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid is one document that is accepted as part of the health pass scheme.
However, this system is separate from rules related to travel. Many countries around the world have eased travel restrictions for people who are fully vaccinated against Covid, and this is the case for the UK and France.
Read more: Travel between France and UK: Three Covid tests now needed
As it stands, a person is considered to be fully vaccinated by UK rules if they have had two doses of an approved two-dose vaccine, or one dose of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.
See more specific details about what vaccines are approved in the UK at this link.
This means that our reader is already considered fully vaccinated in terms of travel, but their vaccination certificate will no longer be valid as part of their health pass for use in France from December 15.
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Covid-19: Rules for travel to and from France
Delays reported in rush for booster Covid doses in France
Will over 65s still get priority for Covid booster shots in France?
Key dates in France for new Covid rules this winter
