France Vaccine Pass: what are Booster requirements for tourists?
 

I’m confused about the booster requirements to obtain the Vaccine Pass in France. We will be in France for 6 weeks starting Mar 22, returning the 1st week of May. 2nd booster shots aren’t available yet in California. I received my 1st booster at the end of Sept within 7 months of my 2nd shot. My husband’s booster was in early Nov and was 8 months after his 2nd shot. According to the US we are fully vaccinated. Not sure if we will qualify for the French Vaccine pass and whether it will be good for the duration of our visit there. I have scoured the official websites but can’t find specifics for tourists. If anyone has information or can post a link that clarifies things, I would appreciate it.
This is from the US Embassy
https://fr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

• As of December 15, people aged 65 and older will need to have received a COVID-19 booster shot in order to keep their health pass active. As of January 15, 2022, all people age 18 and older will need a COVID-19 booster shot between three (3) and seven (7) months after their second COVID dose to keep their health pass active. Booster shots are available to all adults living in France age 18 and above beginning three (3) months after they became fully vaccinated. Vaccinations for all children age five (5) and older opened December 22, 2021.  

Where did you get your information that a second booster shot is required in France to get an approved Passe Sanitaire - even for the French?

Stu Dudley

A friend living in France has received notice that her Passé Sanitaire will expire March 1 unless she receives a 2nd booster. But she went today to get an appointment for a 2nd Pfizer booster and was told she didn’t need it and her pass would be extended. More confusing since she was told that if she had Moderna she need a 4th shot!?

There is no such thing as a second booster shot in France at the moment!

The EU has agreed the second jab (or first if Janssen/J&J) is valid only for 9 months, up to Feb 1st, after which the covid passport is no longer valid unless there is a booster within a set period.
There are no plans that I know of in the EU for a fourth jab any time soon, certainly not with the current vaccines.

Thank you for responding. It’s 2 months until we travel and hopefully there will be additional clarification and information by then.

That's kind of odd what your friend was told as the Pfizer vaccine was not as effective as Moderna, so it doesn't make sense. Unless she has some special medical condition, of course, immune-compromised people may need to get more shots than regular folks for it to take.

I suspect your friend is referring to the second series shot as a "booster", that's all. So this is your and your friend's communication problem. It was NOT a booster technically, the vaccine was supposed to be a 2 dose vaccine schedule, those were the protocols. The third shot was the "booster". JandJ was a different story as that was kind of bogus that they ever called that a one-shot regimen, it was just less effective, that's alll It was about as effective as Pfizer/Moderna were after one dose, that's all.

France has recommended shorter intervals between doses, also.

Here are the rules, they seem pretty clear to me.
https://www.gouvernement.fr/pass-san...-au-15-janvier

A booster is a "dose de rappel" in French, which translates as reminder dose.

Basically, if you had two doses of Pfizer/Moderna, you have up to 7 months to get your booster for your pass to be valid.

I don't know where the four shots requirement would have come from unless your friend was a health care worker and got the first shot very early, say end of 2020. Then the booster in France might have been done by June/July of 2021? So it is now maybe 5 months after that, so if that is the scenario (unlikely for most), it could be true.

All EU/Schengen countries have agreed that for EU/Schengen residents from 1 February a pass will only be valid up to 270 days from the second jab or 180 days from recovery. If a booster is received between 3 and 9 months after the second (or first in the case of Janssen) jab then for now the pass is valid indefinitely. There will be no further requirements such as quarantine or extra tests for those holding an EU pass.
There are at this point no plans for a further booster since there is no evidence it will improve immunity, and could cause more problems than it solves. Should a new variant arise for which a special booster is available then they will offer it.

Each country can set its own rules for travellers from outside the bloc. This seems to have the latest info for France:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/article...pass-in-france

My friend was given incorrect information regarding Moderna.

“Basically, if you had two doses of Pfizer/Moderna, you have up to 7 months to get your booster for your pass to be valid.”
My husband had his booster 8 months after his 2nd shot. (He is over 65]. So I’m wondering if he will meet the qualifications?

Well, I hope I didn't screw up. Got my vaccination in March of 2021. Was planning to get a booster about now (after first of the year), so that it would be closer to my trip date, fearing that if I got one at first availability it might not be good for my trip in May.

Of course, the way things change, who knows what the rules will be in May.

His first set were still valid when he got the booster, within the 270 days, so in theory it is OK, but each country can set it's own requirements for non EU visitors.

The red part makes it look like my husband and I are OK, but I didn’t get that from reading the rest of it! And I cannot find anything that tells you what to do if your timing is outside of what the requirements are.

This is from sante.fr
Booster information

People from 18 years and one month to 64 years

• If I have received 2 doses of vaccine, I should do my booster no later than 7 months after my second injection. Thus, a 30-year-old person who had their last dose of vaccine before June 15, 2021 must have been recalled on January 15, 2022 to obtain a new valid vaccination certificate.
• If I had Covid-19 and then received a single dose of vaccine (Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, Moderna), I must do my booster no later than 7 months after my injection.
• If I received a dose of vaccine (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna or Janssen) and I hadCovid-19 more than 15 days after the injection, I must do my booster no later than6 months after my infection, which is the duration of the recovery certificate.
• If I had Covid-19 and then received a dose of Janssen after my infection, I should do my booster no later than 2 months after my injection.

If I am not yet eligible for the booster dose, my initial vaccination schedule vaccination certificate (single dose or two doses) remains valid.

To know when to do my booster dose: https://monrappelvaccincovid.ameli.fr


From 15 February 2022, the validity period of the vaccination certificate without booster dose increases to 4 months instead of 7 months.

People 65 years and older & people vaccinated with Janssen

Since 15 December, the rules relating to the "health pass" have changed only for people aged 65 and over, and people vaccinated with Janssen.

These people must have made their recall, from the moment they are eligible (i.e. 3 months after their last injection for the first and 1 month for the second), and at the end of a period of 4 additional months maximum for the first and 1 month for the second.

Beyond this period, their old vaccination certificate is considered expired.

This means that:

• People 65 years of age and older who had their last dose of vaccine before May 15 must have completed their booster by December 15 to obtain a new valid vaccination certificate since they have passed the 3-month deadline to be eligible for the booster and 4 months to carry out this booster.
• People vaccinated with Janssen who had their single dose before October 15,must have made their second injection by December 15 so that their vaccination certificate is not deactivated, since they have passed on this date the deadlines of 1 month to be eligible for the booster and 1 month to carry out this booster.

I have the same question, only it appears to me that a booster shot must be no longer than 4 months after (residents and tourists): As of February 15, 2022, For persons aged 18 years and 1 month or more, from February 15, 2022, a vaccination schedule including the booster dose within 4 months after their last injection if it was carried out between June 16 and October 15. https://www.sante.fr/actualites/pass...ination-valide. https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-cor...#passsanitaire . I couldn't find an explanation of what is the requirement if the last injection was before June 16 or after October 15. We're planning to travel to France in the late Spring, so we'll need to figure this out in the next several months (by which point the requirements may have changed again)

The problem I have is that there is conflicting information among the the official websites. Especially in regard to the “7 months requirement”. Or maybe it’s getting lost in translation. I do like the information and explanation on the https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-cor...#passsanitaire site. Here is the (google-) translated from French text on that site:

Will people who have been vaccinated in another country also have to do a booster to keep their "vaccine pass"?

As of January 15, 2022, people over 18 years of age and 1 month who have completed their initial vaccination schedule more than 7 months ago must complete it with a booster dose to continue to benefit from the vaccination pass.

A recovery certificate can also be used as part of the vaccination pass.

For French people abroad who have not carried out their vaccination booster, a support of their tests generating a "health pass" will be effective for a period of 15 days in order to give them time to carry out their booster injection
…
-If I have already received two doses: my vaccination schedule is recognized in France and I can obtain my "health pass" by going through the form "French from abroad" or "Student ", or in a pharmacy if I am a national of a country outside the European Union (list of pharmacies offering this service on the sante.frwebsite). I will also need to receive a booster dose before December 15 for those over 65 years of age who have been vaccinated for more than 7 months, and before January 15 for all adults who have been vaccinated for more than 7 months.

I hope I am right in thinking this means we and you are OK since we received boosters prior to December 15. Of course, as you said, things could change.

Even if you had your first two shots a year ago, the booster revalidates everything after 8 days.

The science right now is not recommending a 4th shot but some governments will not let you in with 3 in a certain time frame. It doesn't make sense. Seems like a lot of plans will be cancelled.

[QUOTE=hetismij2;17326007
There are no plans that I know of in the EU for a fourth jab any time soon, certainly not with the current vaccines.[/QUOTE]
In Belgium invitations for a 4th jab will be sent out within a few weeks for all those with decreased immunity.

In France, too, people with fragile health will be encouraged soon to have the 4th shot. Nobody else needs it.

And to return to the Moderna debate, all evidence shows that it is the best booster, but everybody is demanding Pfizer (because the general public have all become medical experts of course). I was given no choice for my booster and was given Pfizer, but at least I had Moderna as my second shot, following the relatively useless AstraZenica as my first shot.

That's what I'm counting on. I understand taking a flu shot once a year, but taking a covid booster every six months doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I've got a doctor's appointment in a couple of weeks and plan to do it then. Hopefully, that will be good enough.

I had two AZ's and a Pfizer booster. My booster is more than 4 months ago. I'm in the fragile health group and never understood why they gave me AZ in the first place. We were given no choice, either.

How does a US visitor get a vaccine pass?

I just read we have to go to a pharmacy. But what if our plane lands in another country and we plan to enter France by train - could we even get on the train?

https://fr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

I have added the blue text as my understanding of what the embassy site states:

To qualify for the vaccine pass, the person must be age 16 or above, be fully vaccinated (two shots except for the Johnson & Johnson/Jansen vaccine), and, if more than seven (7) months have passed from the second vaccine dose, a booster dose is required. (Beginning Feb. 15, a booster dose will be required four (4) months after the second dose.)

My understanding is that Beginning Feb. 15, a booster dose will be required if more than four (4) months have passedafter the second dose, or since a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Jansen vaccine)

I use the TousAntiCovid app and uploaded my vaccine records to it. This is how I entered France from the U.K. by ferry.

According to Service Public newsletter of Jan 28, the passe sanitaire will be replaced by the vaccination pass which is the TousAntiCovid app.

Take your shot information to any participating pharmacist, who will review it and issue a QR code in pdf format. For ease of use, the codes may be scanned into the TousAntiCovid app. Pharmacists charge 36€.

Now Feb 1, I would start over looking at official govt sites. I fly United and they link me to requirements I need even if I have to transit. I really recommend researching, seeing how requirements and covid are trending, and depending on all that apply for whatever is needed. This is what I did for my November trip to Paris and are doing for my April trip to Croatia and Italy.

I agree that the rules seems to be changing month by month. Recommend check closer to your trip date to see the latest updates and also check France's government site directly as it is most accurate: https://www.sante.fr/obtenir-un-pass...tion-letranger We plan to visit France in May so who knows what the rules will be by then?

My question is, if we need to go to an approved Pharmacy upon arrival by flight, will the hotel let us check in without this vaccine pass? I'm hoping they will so we don't have to hall our luggage getting to an "approved" pharmacy. The closest to our hotel is a 15min walk.

Yes, I understand that. But can I get on a train from another country to France without a QR code?

Also, I can’t locate the list of participating pharmacies. Does anyone have a link (in English) to those? (One link I saw directed me to a page written in French…)

bookmarking.

French Snafu!
 

Hi Eurohop,
I feel your pain! We are traveling in May, so we have time, but if I were you I'd get another booster at CVS...you can schedule one (may have to fudge about being immune-compromised) but that will work for France. We also got a booster in September and are waiting until April to get another to be compliant.
Having traveled extensively in France, we are enchanted by the country but the Passe Sanitaire is testing our patience! The fact that one cannot qualify before landing in France, requires finding a pharmacy and standing in god knows how long a line, plus the refusal on the part of the French Consulates (in the US) to offer any help or guidance is leading us to ditch this country for a more visitor-friendly one (like Spain). And we are still awaiting a response from the French "Diplomatie" to our questions!
Too much misinformation! A local French travel agent (here in SF) told me a booster 2 months before was required. Ha!!! Viva la France...hmmmm not so much.

Very reminiscent of standing in at a PostOffice in Provence to cash a traveler's check (years ago), only to have dear elderly cut in line in front of us! C'est terrible!

Hmmm...good luck finding a "participating" pharmacist. Certainly more difficult outside Paris. And scuttlebutt has it that many pharmacies are quick to say they don't know anything about this program!

Balthy,
How did you upload your US vax credentials onto the AntiCovid app? Mine didn't work. Plus I read on the official French Diplomatie site that US vax QR codes won't scan in France.

TO PHILLY FAN:
try this
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/co...ions-answered/

I am thoroughly confused. We are arriving in Paris on April 25 to do a river a cruise and then staying on through May 12. We had our Moderna 1 and 2 shots finishing last March and the booster on Nov 20. Based on what I'm reading I cannot tell if we will be able to get a Health Pass or not. However, I think Pepperment has the right idea and we will see if we can get boosters end of March or beginning of April. We are so excited about going to Paris (our first time) but this is driving me insane!

Beyond confused on if I am eligible for the Vaccine pass and set to be in France on 2/16. American here who had their first vaccine (J&J/Janssen) on 3/6/21 and was boosted with Pfizer 10/22/21.

Seems in France, I'd be eligible for an additional booster as of 1/22/22 (3rd shot in this case), however, I am not eligible in the US. Does this mean I can't get the vaccine pass?

If you board a France bound TGV from another country, you follow whatever rules that country has.

I am unfamiliar with any pharmacist that will not issue you the French QR codes upon presentation of your passport and vaccination information (CDC card for those from the US). The cost is 36€.

US QR codes are not compatible with the French system, which is the whole point of paying a French pharmacist to issue you French codes.

If you have 3 Covid shots, you qualify for the pass vaccinal.

There is only 1 booster. If you have received it, you qualify for the pass vaccinal.

The booster situation is clear as mud. According to the US embassy website, people can ENTER France when they are fully vaccinated without a booster; HOWEVER, in order to qualify for the Vaccination Pass, (required to enter restaurants, museums, etc) people will need to have received their booster shot within a certain time frame.

Right now, the booster needs to be received within 7 months of the last shot of the initial regimen, but as of Feb. 15, people will need to be have received their booster (according to the embassy website) within 4 MONTHS of the final shot of the original dosing regimen.

This would pretty much eliminate most US citizens given that the boosters were not available till 6-8 months after the second dose.

Of course, things may change, but this is what the US embassy has on its website as of Jan. 24, 2022.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cd062df9d.jpeg

Check the official information from french government, all questions/ answers are here on diplomatie gouv "coming to france your covid19 questions answered"

You’re right; this is on the government site, and the booster can be taken within 9 months :
https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actual...ational-travel


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...96681b56c.jpeg

Read today's news (Feb 2) as rules may change. French govt websites especially on COVID are the very, very best source of news as it is breaking daily if not weekly.

Clearly there is a lot of confusion, with words and phrases like “since”, “within” “no later than” and “more than” being used when describing the 7-month and 4-month stipulation. Lost in translation? I would love to hear from a French pharmacist.

Our son and DIL were in Paris just before Christmas and were turned away at several official pharmacies, being told they didn’t have time to deal with issuing the vaccine pass. They finally found a pharmacy near the Opera Garnier that quickly and efficiently processed them. So perhaps the approved pharmacies near heavily touristed sites are the best bets for obtaining the pass.