French travel advice: Hello all, Calling anyone... - PMRGCAuk

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French travel advice

Pangolin43 profile image
59 Replies

Hello all,

Calling anyone understanding COVID travel rules.....

I had my booster vaccination on 26th November 2021 and I’m travelling to France on 22nd July returning 6th august. Does this fit within the French restrictions? At the risk of sounding stupid, I’m finding it difficult to navigate as it seems a very close call as to whether I can travel or not? I’m planning on having a fourth dose as winter approaches and don’t really want to have another right now and risk an adverse reaction. I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you 😀

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Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43
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59 Replies
SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

According to this as I understand it you have to have had your booster within 9 months of your second dose (or only dose if it was the Janssen one). On what grounds is it a close call? interieur.gouvfr/covid-19-i...

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to SnazzyD

Thank you Snazzy... I had my Pfizer booster in November. If the calculation is done by counting the days I think I’m ok. If you just count the months including November 2021 to July 2022 that is 9 months and August when I return is 10. 🤔

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to SnazzyD

As I understand this

schengenvisainfo.com/news/f...

a vaccine cert is valid for 9 months providing it wasn't just the first jab - i.e. once you are in the multiple vaccine world you have 9 months cover from the most recent vaccine.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

MrsNails is currently in France ...

You might find a travel agent is able to interpret the rules.

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to PMRpro

Thank you

KellyInTexas profile image
KellyInTexas

We are currently in France. ( we chose to have / host our daughter’s wedding here since France requires vaccine to enter buildings, or at least at the time she made the decision to have her wedding here- that was the case!)

Was the “booster within the last 9 months “ a very recent addition I wonder? I didn’t see that on on the French requirements. Could be a very recent update. We arrived 8th June and will depart back to USA July 1.

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to KellyInTexas

Hello and thanks for your reply. My Booster was on 26th November 2021

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails

Hi Pangolin - l am currently in France 🇫🇷 second visit since April.

I’d had 4 Vaccines before l came in April & had my 5th the week before l came, my husband has just had the 3

This is the info l used

gov.uk/foreign-travel-advic...

For travellers aged 18 and over, France will recognise you as ‘vaccinated’ for entry purposes if you completed your initial vaccine course within the last 9 months. If more than 9 months have elapsed since your initial course, and you have not since received a booster, you will be considered unvaccinated and must follow the rules detailed below. Travellers under 18 years old do not require a booster for entry to France.”

I used something called VeriFLY the first time we came as it was suggested by BA but we never used it, no one asked to see our Passenger Locator Forms or our Vaccine Passports!?!……

Passenger Locator Form

app.euplf.eu/#/

KellyInTexas profile image
KellyInTexas in reply to MrsNails

I’ve had the fifth- ( fifth being Evusheld due to rituximab- ) hubby same as your hubby.)

We are currently in Cassis - tomorrow to Nice until June 29th or 30th- then flying back to Paris to transatlantic flight back to New York.

We’ve been here since the 9th of June- it’s really time to go home… I’m officially old.

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to KellyInTexas

Fabulous, we’re in Bragayrac 40miles east of Toulouse. Have you had the Wedding? xx

KellyInTexas profile image
KellyInTexas in reply to MrsNails

Yes- recovering now! It’s was end of last week and weekend. Starting Thursday with family and friends meet and greet , Friday morning yoga for those who wanted, guided hike, various activities, ( magician show around the pool- ) and then rehearsal dinner with a fantastic talent show. ( by guests and family. )

Saturday at 4:00 pm was the wedding and formal dinner reception and dance to follow. String quartet for ceremony- not terribly formal.

Live jazz for most of evening,

The live DJ for 12:00am to 4:00am.

We hired chateau maulmont ( just outside Vichy) for the event and had 70 people as our guests - Americans, British, And lots of Germans. My daughters new husband is German.

We are having “family honeymoon “ traveling together for a few days😊

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to KellyInTexas

Sounds Amazing!

Frewen1 profile image
Frewen1 in reply to KellyInTexas

Incredible!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to MrsNails

Certainly looks like the booster has no time limitation on validity. It's a requirement because it's been found the two dose regimen turned out not to last long enough. So as Pangolin43 has had that third shot (booster), she should be fine for travel to France. On the other hand, would there be a problem if someone's initial course was considered to be three doses?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to HeronNS

Don't think anywhere here did that except the UK. Italy didn't

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to PMRpro

There was actually a limited access to what was called a third dose here, but I really think in effect it amounted to the same as the first booster, may just have provided earlier access to that booster which all adults are eligible for (has been rather poor uptake of the booster, unfortunately). In NS only people 70+ can get second booster, no matter what their health status is. No changes since our CMO was gagged by the government a couple of months ago after he stated dropping the mask mandate was a political decision. Sigh.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to HeronNS

Numbers are rising here - and they are starting to talk about masks again 0 which were only dropped a week or two ago. Some people are still wearing them - and you must wear them on public transport and in the hospital. I was on the train this morning and passed a woman on my way down the aisle who pulled her mask off to have a good cough!! I mean - REALLY?????

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro

Charming!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to PMRpro

Rolls eyes. The mask mandate from federal gov still applies to trains and planes. I really hope it remains in place indefinitely as we are planning a train ride to Ontario in October.

TheMoaningViolet profile image
TheMoaningViolet in reply to PMRpro

I sat next to a guy on a plane who was doing just that repeatedly.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to TheMoaningViolet

Yuk - you have my sympathy! Bad enough even without Covid ...

suenewberry profile image
suenewberry in reply to HeronNS

My reply is not directly related except a question on vaccinnes and problems. I had 2 astro zenecca vaccines 3 months apart in jan and March 2021. In June 2021 I had a swollen left leg, went to doc and he said nothing wrong its your vein system not very strong and gave me pressure stockings to wear, which did not seem to help with the swelling. Move forward one year, and I have a pain at the back of my right knee. Doctor took blood test to see what the blood was doing, and I have been diagnosed with a DVT and treated with thinners accordingly, scan on Monday at the hospital for clots. I believe my doc missed this, and I have been lucky that it has not moved. I am having problems with my spine currrently which is causing pain in ankles, am under the spine specialist for treatment and currently waiting for a steroid injection to help relieve this. My question is - has anyone experienced this as I believe the vaccines have caused blood clots. Government will hide this - 7 people have died in the UK from blood clots to the brain, and when I looked up the information it also can cause clots in the leg and problems with the stomach. I have had PMR for 6 years before it went into remission. Now been off pred for 4 years, with a flare after my Moderna vaccine.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to suenewberry

I think you need to post this as a separate question. As you can see, a reply to me, not even to the author of the post, didn't get very far ;) ! On a personal level, they didn't use A-Z much in Canada, at least in part because of the news of risk of blood clots. In the end in Nova Scotia the supply we received was used for vaccinating people in a very restricted age range (which I can't remember), and simply because it allowed more people access to vaccination in a more timely fashion.

I'm really sorry to hear you have had such problems and hope you are soon mended!

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to suenewberry

“as I believe the vaccines have caused blood clots. Government will hide this”

Not strictly true - this information from HMG dated February this year -

gov.uk/government/publicati...

..and this updated 22 Jun 2022-

gov.uk/government/publicati...

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to suenewberry

The vaccine-associated clots were cerebral venous clots and a very rare event occuring within a short time of the first vaccine. You are accusing the entire world's governments of hiding something that isn't theirs to hide really - that is quite a statement.

suenewberry profile image
suenewberry in reply to PMRpro

Thank you for replying to me. If you look up the evidence for clots it also includes clots in the legs and problems with blood supply to the stomach with stomach pains, I agree it is extremely rare and hoping it is not the case, but will investigate it more.

Its only the British Government I was concerned about. It was so difficult to find information except on the European site. The reason I asked the question was because of PMR our vascular systems seem more prone to problems, even after PMR has left us. I was therefore wondering if anyone else had experienced this problem. I must apologise if anything mentioned was upsetting to anyone,

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to HeronNS

Thank you for this. I feel clearer. 😔

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to HeronNS

Thank you HeronNS... I’m learning a lot here 😀

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43

Thank you Mrs Nails. I hope you’re enjoying your break 😀

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to Pangolin43

We are - considering what’s going on at home! DiL had a heart attack in Majorca - it’s her 2nd , she had one when she was pregnant. She’s down in Stoke University Hospital now & had an MRI this afternoon - they can’t risk an angiogram. She just needs a CT now to compare her heart to last year 🙏🏼

We are somewhat stressed to say the least!

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to MrsNails

Wishing you all well 😀

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply to MrsNails

Oh my goodness. Hope she recovers well. 💐

KellyInTexas profile image
KellyInTexas in reply to MrsNails

Oh gosh…. Such a terrible worry.

Jackoh profile image
Jackoh in reply to MrsNails

Yes was just thinking about you all this morning and wondering what the situation was. ❤️

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to Jackoh

Martin’s doing really well & the children are being so good, Great Grandma had them yesterday for a couple of hours & did well. The kiddies are going to in to see Mummy today, just hope they get her CT done then they’ll have a fuller picture 🙏🏼

Jackoh profile image
Jackoh in reply to MrsNails

Yes a concerning time for them all. So good though that they are all coping so well in the circumstances. 👍❤️🙏xx

Frewen1 profile image
Frewen1 in reply to MrsNails

Sending every good wish

in reply to MrsNails

So sorry Mrs Nails, how awful for all of you.

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to

Thank You - it’s been so frustrating- she had her MRI on Wednesday & eventually yesterday she had her CT (just as the children arrived for their first visit) now waiting for her Consultant to review & decide what’s going on……She’s been in there a week & off all monitors etc since Monday.

in reply to MrsNails

I hope things improve. An extremely stressing time for you all. Big hugs.

Jigsawlass profile image
Jigsawlass

As far as I understand it , once you have had your booster you are fine , no time limit

agingfeminist profile image
agingfeminist

did you have an adverse reaction to the other 3? If not then I would get a fourth now. A vaccination almost 9 months ago might be ok for the rules but in reality it isn't going to give you much protection now...

herdysheep profile image
herdysheep in reply to agingfeminist

watch out for timescales. To get the vaccination certificate thingy there must be either 2 or 4 weeks since last jab. Can't remember which without looking, and it may have changed now.

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to agingfeminist

Thank you for your response... I was hoping to have a fourth vaccination around October/ November ready for winter when people move indoors. I’m armed with good masks which I intend to use in busy places. 😷

agingfeminist profile image
agingfeminist in reply to Pangolin43

the masks are an excellent idea...but you could have a vaccination now and in 3-4months have the fifth. It depends if you have had any adverse effects from the other 3. Have a wonderful trip.

JanboC profile image
JanboC

No time limit on boosters, only initial 1st & 2nd vaccines.

Highandlow profile image
Highandlow

We travelled to France at the end of May. We had our Covid passes ready and completed the relevant passenger locator form but nobody asked for anything.

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply to Highandlow

Same with us in April & again this weekend…

My wife and I travelled to Paris in May to watch the tennis. We were both up to date with our vaccines! We flew from Heathrow and were not asked to show proof of anything! All they wanted to see was our passports and the same in Paris. It was as if covid hadn't happened.

salp1 profile image
salp1

Hello, I just caught sight of your question and thought the following taken from the French site written in English, maybe of help. I am English but live in France.

......Since 1 February 2022, in order for their vaccination schedule to continue to be recognised as complete, persons aged 18 years or older wishing to enter French territory must have received a booster dose of messenger RNA vaccine no later than nine months after receiving the last mandatory dose.

The Government draws the attention of travelers to the rules relating to the vaccination pass, necessary to access certain leisure activities, and which may differ from this definition: gouvernement.fr/le-pass-vac...

The above is from the following site for foreign travelers wishing to enter France. interieur.gouv.fr/covid-19-...

Although many travellers are not asked at the customs for all or any paperwork, as some have already said, make sure you have it all, as just occasionally it is asked for and can be requested here at chemists, or doctors for example.

Whilst masks are no longer obligatory, there are recommendations for all the immunosuppressed and anyone over 60 to wear a mask in enclosed public spaces. I continue to wear one in the supermarché for example and whilst I maybe in the minority, others do to. There isn't any stigma and there are regular Government adverts on the radio recommending the continued use of masks for this group.

The French COVID app which is very helpful too is called TousAntiCovid.

The other rule that is now in place is that travellers have to show and be able to prove where they are staying and have sufficient funds for the duration.

If a traveller is staying with friends or family, resident in France, they/the French resident, are supposed to get a form of 'permission' from their local Mairie and to pay €30 per family unit.....when granted a copy should be sent to the traveller for the customs, if asked. In reality a letter of invitation from the family/friend resident in France that includes the dates and people's names is said to be enough.

Sorry to be so wordy, enjoy your stay, très bonne séjour !

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to salp1

Thank you for your informative and detailed reply and the time you must have taken to write this. I was unaware of the rule of ‘proof of stay and funds’. Forewarned is best!

humlies profile image
humlies

Hi Pangolin. I am in the same position as you; we go to Jersey on July 25 then to France for 3 days on August 1. My booster was on November 21, and like you I do not want to have the spring booster until after we return because of possible side effects. After much head scratching I have (almost) decided that because the booster was within 9 months of the first 2 jabs we should be OK. I can't understand why we can renew our NHS covid passes by simply clicking on them once a month, but I now have a pass valid until December! If it is interpreted differently I will point out that the 9 months is not yet up..... I am going to ask our travel agent if he can confirm this and will let you know what he says.

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to humlies

Hi Humlies. Thank you. That’s really helpful. I think we are ok. I believe I was misinterpreting the information and you are right; the booster was within nine months of the first two jabs. I’ve been told by a number of people that it is the days that are counted. E.g from the 26th November to 26th December and so on). As far as I understand the booster means we are fully vaccinated. Phew! 😀 Yes please let me know what your travel agent says.

humlies profile image
humlies in reply to Pangolin43

Hmmm. The travel agent felt it was a bit of a close call, and suggested that we either had the spring booster or took a PCR test before leaving the UK. This is of course expensive and somewhat stressful, so we have very reluctantly decided to have the spring booster on Wednesday. I pray for NO after effects. I don't know whether you have read the comment on vaccines by the Editor of the BMJ, but on the other hand it is only the small minority who have had suffered seriously after being vaccinated. Let me know what you decide!

RoadTrip profile image
RoadTrip in reply to humlies

Not sure why your travel agent is suggesting either is necessary, certainly for France. We have just returned from a trip round europe, only time we had to show vaccine status was on Eurostar. Hubby has only had 3 shots, last in October and he was ok.

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to humlies

Hello. Thank you for your update. I feel your travel agent is perhaps understandably covering themselves. At the moment I feel I am fully vaccinated and will wait until autumn for my third vaccine. I will let you know if I decide otherwise. 😀

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to humlies

Since the 16th of June my daughters tell me there is nothing you need to show - they arrived here (Italy) yesterday having shown no proof of vaccine status.

humlies profile image
humlies in reply to PMRpro

Hallo Pangolin, PMRPro and others,I find to my delight that GOV.UK have rewritten their advice on entering France, and say, as reported above, that there is currently no expiry date on boosters. Hurrah! All is clear at last. (just in case you think it was my lapse of memory, our son also confirmed that the advice had been clarified.) Thank you all.

Pangolin43 profile image
Pangolin43 in reply to humlies

Hello humlies. Thank you so much for putting my mind at rest too. Enjoy your holiday 😷😀

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