On February 1st, millions of vaccination certificates will expire across Europe.
Those affected should therefore definitely check their status. CHIP answers the most important questions.
The European Union limits the basic immunization: Anyone who has received two doses of the approved vaccines needs an additional vaccination after nine months at the latest, otherwise they lose their status as fully vaccinated.
This also applies to convalescents who have only received a convalescence vaccination. Without a booster vaccination, the status expires.
Those affected should get the booster protection as soon as possible if they want to be considered fully vaccinated after the deadline.
It is unclear whether the “invalid” status is also displayed in the CovPass and Corona-WarnApp.
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Patients should pay attention to this
The regulation also applies in Germany. The Federal Government has agreed to the European initiative as to when the 9-month period should apply, but there is no confirmed information on this so far. It is possible that the federal government and the prime ministers of the federal states will use the federal and state summit on January 24, 2022.
The shorter validity for those who have recovered (from six to three months) could then be decided. The Robert Koch Institute made a corresponding recommendation at the weekend.
“Validity expires after nine months”: What does that mean?
The certificates are digitally signed Europe-wide by the respective member state. In Germany, for example, this is done on behalf of the Robert Koch Institute. However, authorized persons and recording systems within the EU have access to the encrypted data. For example, an employee at Paris airport can check a vaccination certificate issued in Berlin.
If a digital vaccination certificate loses its validity, it is no longer valid as proof of vaccination. If you want to visit companies with 2G, 2G Plus or 3G companies with such a document or want to travel, you must expect restrictions. The proof is considered invalid and the vaccination status is revoked.
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Does this also apply to booster vaccinations?
There is no current recommendation on the validity of the booster vaccination. Therefore, it does not expire (as of January 18). The draft law by the EU Commission speaks of a “complete vaccination cycle” that expires after 270 days.
Which deadline applies?
The validity expires nine months after the second vaccination, the convalescence vaccination or the time of the primary immunization. According to the current status, all German citizens are affected who have the status
- vaccination & second vaccination,
- Vaccination & Recovery or
- Received recovery & recovery vaccination.
This applies to all vaccines approved in the EU – and also to cross-vaccinations.
Because the regulation applies from February 1, 2022, all German citizens who were considered “fully vaccinated” before May 7, 2021 are initially affected. According to an evaluation by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, available to FOCUS Online, there were 8.8 million people in Germany at the time.
You can also use this calculator to see when your vaccination certificate will expire.
The article first appeared on Focus.de.