With record-breaking waves of COVIDs and a proliferation of countries announcing stricter restrictions or even closing down completely, the need to guarantee the safe and free movement of people with protection cards in the EU through uniform and harmonised rules is on the agenda.
The European Commission's proposal, presented on 25 November, would require Member States to accept certificates of full protection for a uniform period of 9 months. It would set the validity period for full protection certificates at 9 months from 10 January 2022, the Euronews.
If the Panel says yes to the proposal, Member States will not be able to reject vaccination certificates issued less than 9 months after the last dose of vaccine was administered.
“Following the guidance of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, we propose a validity period of nine months, and beyond this period, in the absence of a third booster vaccination, the validity of the card would not be recognised,” said EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders at a press conference on Thursday to present the proposals. He added that the EU would also take into account the fact that governments need time, at least three months, to adjust their vaccination campaigns and make the third dose available.
What benefits could the new legislation bring to the protected?
The Commission proposal also calls for people with a valid protection card not to be subject to restrictive measures when travelling anywhere in the European Union. However, in the absence of a certificate, they would be subject to checks immediately before or after arrival.
Diligent and would also make the 3rd vaccination conditional on an appointment
Ursula von der Leyen, chairwoman of the panel, stressed in a press release on Thursday that the third vaccination should be administered six months after the first series of vaccinations, as it maintains the immunity of the vaccinated. He pointed out that EU agencies recommend booster vaccinations for all adults because they offer a higher level of protection, preventing many deaths and hospitalisations. He also announced that around 1 billion doses of the vaccine would be available in the 27 EU member states by the weekend.
The Commission President also pointed out that a quarter of the adult population in the EU is still not fully vaccinated. “We need to convince everyone to get vaccinated,” said Ms Von der Leyen.
Source: https://hu.euronews.com/
