Should expire soon: EU extends digital vaccination certificates – so you can see when your immune status expires
In July 2021, the digital vaccination certificate was introduced in Europe. This allows EU citizens to travel freely within and outside the borders. It is now known: The EU Commission is planning to extend the validity and does not expect the pandemic to end this year either. FOCUS Online says what that means for you.
According to the wishes of the European Union, the digital vaccination certificate should remain valid within the EU until at least the end of June 2023.
For German citizens, this means that anyone who wants to travel abroad will need the Corona warning app or the CovPass app at least until next year. But the digital vaccination certificate in printed form is also considered an important travel document in addition to the ID card.
Vaccination certificates by June 2023: These scenarios could apply now
Should the digital vaccination certificate remain until June 2023, will German citizens then need regular vaccinations? So far there is no clear information about this.
For example, it is unclear what should apply to German citizens who, for example, have already received a booster vaccination or will receive it in the next few months.
According to the current status, the booster protection does not expire in Germany, although an expiry date is stated on the documents. However, there are already the first EU countries that are allowing booster vaccinations to expire. In Austria, the third prick is valid for 270 days (nine months).
These scenarios could then apply:
- Automatic extension! It is possible that the booster protection (refresher vaccination) will automatically apply until the end of June 2023. In the CovPass app and on the digital vaccination certificate, there is currently an expiry date of one year. As experts explain, this expiration date must be specified for technical reasons.
- Fourth vaccination is coming! It is possible that German citizens must receive a fourth vaccination after a certain period of time in order to be considered “fully vaccinated”. The Robert Koch Institute has so far only recommended a fourth vaccination for risk groups no earlier than three months after the third vaccination with an mRNA vaccine.
- Digital vaccination certificate will be abolished! However, it is also possible that the digital vaccination certificate will be abolished at some point and before the planned June 2023. The EU had chosen the date to avoid restrictions on freedom of travel. More and more countries had already tightened entry regulations and reintroduced border controls because of the omicron virus variant. The consequence? Different rules, a lot of frustration and a lot of bureaucracy. The EU had taken appropriate action and, for example, laid down a uniform regulation for the expiry periods.
How to see when your immune status expires
who recovered loses its immune status in Germany three months after the positive test result. However, the recovered person can travel to other EU countries without any problems even after these three months. The EU Commission had recommended maintaining the immune status for those who had recovered for six months.
who basic immunization is, i.e. has only received two vaccinations, loses its status after six months. This also applies to people who have been vaccinated once and who have then recovered.
Boosted People (i.e. with a third vaccination) are currently considered to be “fully vaccinated” indefinitely. Due to the dynamic situation, however, this could change.
You can see when your status expires using our calculator, which you can find here:
If you are vaccinated
You can also find relevant information in the CovPass app. To do this, simply select the certificate. In the list you will then find the note “Technical expiry date”.
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