- NHS COVID Pass can now be used to demonstrate proof of a
booster or third dose for outbound international travel
- Booster vaccination records to be visible through both NHS
App and on NHS.UK
- Over 13 million booster vaccines and third doses delivered
across the UK so far
Travellers who have had a booster or a third dose will be able to
demonstrate their vaccine status through the NHS COVID Pass from
today (Friday 19 November).
The addition will enable those who have had their booster or
third dose to travel to countries including Israel, Croatia and
Austria who have already introduced a time limit for the
COVID-19 vaccine to be valid for quarantine free travel.
Booster and third doses will not be added to the domestic COVID
Pass as it is not a current requirement for individuals to
receive booster doses to qualify as fully vaccinated. It
will also not be necessary to show evidence of a booster for
travel into England at this time.
Over 13 million booster and third jabs have now been administered
in the UK, providing those eligible with maximum protection as we
head into winter.
This week, the government has also accepted the advice from the
independent experts at the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation (JCVI) to expand the booster programme to those aged
40-49, which means millions more people will be eligible to get
their third dose.
Health and Social Care secretary, said:
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to show their
vaccine status if they are travelling abroad.
“This update to the NHS COVID Pass will mean people can have
their complete medical picture at their fingertips if they are
going on holiday or seeing loved ones overseas.
“Getting a top-up jab is our best defence against this virus and
I urge all those who are eligible to come forward and get
boosted.”
The NHS COVID Pass enables people to demonstrate their COVID-19
status when travelling abroad or when visiting organisations who
have opted to use the domestic certification process. Since its
launch on 17 May, almost 20 million people have accessed the
COVID Pass via the NHS App.
Vaccines Minister said:
“Getting a booster is the best way you can protect yourself ahead
of winter and it’s great those who have come forward can now
demonstrate their vaccination status through the NHS COVID Pass
if they are travelling overseas.
“It has also never been easier to book your booster, with walk-in
sites open across the country and appointments available to
pre-book a month before you are eligible for your top-up. For
anyone who hasn’t yet had their jab, come forward as soon as
possible for maximum protection ahead of Christmas.”
Booster and third doses will show up automatically in the digital
COVID Pass and will be visible from midday on Friday for users in
England but will not immediately be available via the COVID Pass
letter service. This will be updated in due course.
The booster vaccine will appear on the Covid Pass in Wales from
29 November. However evidence of a booster vaccine is not needed
to enter venues in Wales which require a Covid Pass for entry.
Evidence of two vaccinations or a negative lateral flow test in
the last 48 hours remain the requirement.
Vaccines give high levels of protection but immunity reduces over
time, so it is vital that people come forward to get their
COVID-19 booster vaccine to top-up their defences and protect
themselves this winter.
Results from the first UK real-world study by UKHSA show the
pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booster significantly increased
protection against symptomatic disease to nearly 95% in those
aged 50 and above.
