EU Debates Whether or Not to Require Booster Shots for Travel

The European Union governments debated whether or not there is a need to require booster shots for travel.  As cases spike in the region, governments contemplate how long should they consider vaccines effective against COVID19.

The executive European Commission will present a proposal this week as Austria imposed a lockdown. Right now, crossing EU borders will require the EU passes. And recently,  indoor areas from bars to theaters are also requiring the EU passes.

The passes, usually kept on mobile devices, are issued by individual countries and recognized for travel across the EU. Passes contain vaccine information and negative test or proof of recovery from infection.

Greece proposes the addition of booster doses on EU passes. It also suggested that people should only be allowed to travel freely if they received a second or third dose within six months.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said that the 27 EU states should have a common standard to prevent confusion. Asselborn said that “We can’t have different systems in Luxembourg and in Greece, or in Germany or France”. He added that “It would be against the interests of the European citizens”.

On the other hand, German European Affairs Minister Michael Roth, calls booster shots “the order of the day”. He pointed out scientific studies that prove how it can improve immunity against COVID19. Roth added that “A digital vaccination certificate is of paramount importance, but it must be based on scientific knowledge”.

US Issued ‘Do Not Travel’ COVID19 Warning on Germany and Denmark

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the US State Department on Monday placed Germany and Denmark in countries under “Level 4: Very High” COVID19 classification.

Germany is currently dealing with a fourth surge. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel calls it a “highly dramatic situation”. She also added that “What is in place now is not sufficient”.

79% of adults in Germany received two doses of the COVID19 vaccine. However, only 7.5% of the population received booster shots.