Families with teens face travel chaos this summer as a booster programme for 12- to 15-year-olds has not yet been rolled out.
This could mean teenagers in this age cohort may see their EU digital Covid certs expire before the summer season.
People who received their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and haven’t received a booster will see their digital certs go out of date after nine months, in line with an EU regulation.
But teenagers aged 12 to 15 aren’t eligible for boosters yet, meaning they are also unable prevent their digital certificates from expiring.
Families with teens in this age group may face extra costs for testing if they wish to travel abroad.
Since February 1, Covid-19 certificates are not being accepted for travel within the EU if more than 270 days, approximately nine months, has passed since the final dose in the primary vaccine series.
Vaccine certificates based on booster or additional doses are not time limited.
Passengers without proof of vaccination or proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the previous six months must show evidence of a negative PCR or antigen test result on arrival in an EU country.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said there is no date set for a booster programme for 12- to 15-year-olds to begin.
She added: “The National Immunisation Advisory Committee continue to review the evidence in relation to the administration of booster vaccine doses to certain cohorts and will make recommendations to the Chief Medical Officer as appropriate.”
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