Covid Vaccine Passport: What in the World is it?

You’ll be surprised!

Covid Edition – April 27, 2021; updated 7-1-21

“Vaccine Passport” is a common phrase amongst travelers these days. So many people have asked me about this and the upshot for travel. There is so much confusion! 🤔 Let’s clear this up once and for all. Here’s a rundown about the Covid Vaccine Passport – Fact vs. Fiction

Check the last paragraph for this week’s exciting info on Europe opening to US citizens this summer!*

Vaccine Passport – Fiction

A Covid Vaccine Passport is something you must buy – NO

I wish that we had landed on a different term, because this seems to be ridiculously confusing to people. Vaccine passports don’t have anything to do with your passport (you know, the one that holds stamps and visas when you travel). “Vaccine passport” is the concept of making certain activities more accessible for those who’ve been vaccinated, and not a physical thing you have to go out and get or purchase.

The white CDC vaccine card you received when vaccinated (shown below) is sufficient to show everywhere that currently welcomes vaccinated Americans.

Covid Vaccine Passport: Fact

A Vaccine Passport may fast-track you, but not having one won’t stop you from going – CORRECT

The travel media discussion about vaccine passports insinuates that proof of vaccination will be required for most international travel, but that is not the case. There hasn’t been one single destination that has announced they’ll only allow vaccinated travelers to come.

Maybe you’ll like this analogy: having a vaccine passport is like going through the TSA PreCheck lane at the airport…travelers without PreCheck can still go through security, but they’ll have to do extra things (love getting halfway undressed – not!).

For those who haven’t been vaccinated, many countries require a recent negative test or proof of recent infection, like a positive antibody test. But, if you have been vaccinated, you may be able to bypass those requirements and go right in.

Covid Vaccine Passport: Fact

You must be fully vaccinated for a vaccine passport – YES

Vaccine Passport: Fiction

Covid documentation is required for flights within the US – NO

No Covid documentation is currently required within the 49 contiguous states. (I would be surprised if that changed.) Hawaii is the only state that currently requires all visitors to show a recent negative test before flying, but they’re planning to allow vaccinated travelers to bypass that requirement.

Vaccine Passport: Fiction

A Vaccine Passport is required for international travel – NO

Right now you can travel to many countries without any testing or quarantine required, and need no proof of vaccination. I traveled to Dominican Republic in March, and needed nothing but my own statement to enter. There is a huge list of places that require just a recent negative test and not vaccination here: CNN maintains a curated up-to-date list of what countries are accessible.

But in almost all cases that I can see, unvaccinated travelers are still permitted; there may just be a testing or quarantine requirement.

Vaccine Passport: Fiction

CDC cards aren’t acceptable; you need a WHO certificate – NO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has a yellow vaccination certificate (an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis), which is required for some countries as proof of vaccination against specific diseases like yellow fever. In March, a rumor started that Americans wouldn’t be able to travel internationally unless they obtained a yellow WHO card to document their Covid vaccine.

This is totally false. There is no country in the world that has said they won’t accept the white CDC card as proof of Covid vaccination. [In June + July in Germany, dining indoors required vaccination – the CDC card was accepted with no question.]

Vaccine Passport: Fiction

You’ll need proof of vaccination to fly – NO

Airlines aren’t going to require a vaccine passport if the destination doesn’t. You can get on a plane to dozens of countries this afternoon without proof of vaccination. The only thing I had to do in March for my Dominican Republic escape was have a (free) test before returning to the US.

Airlines are the frontline of document verification though, whether it’s an actual passport or a vaccine passport. If you’re flying somewhere where vaccinated travelers are allowed to bypass any testing/quarantine requirements, expect to be asked for your proof of vaccination before your flight (as well as once you arrive).

Covid Vaccine Passport: Fact

Children can’t get a vaccine passport – TRUE so far

You can’t get a Covid vaccine passport if you haven’t had the Covid vaccine. Currently in the US, the Covid vaccines are approved for individuals 16 years old and up. (Pfizer has applied and is awaiting approval for vaccinating 12-15 year olds, and just today, Anthony Fauci said that there are ongoing trials for kids 7 and up.) So if you’re traveling somewhere that lets vaccinated visitors bypass Covid requirements, unvaccinated children are still subject to those requirements. [June 2021 – Unsure what’s happening everywhere, but right now, 12-year-olds can get the vaccine in many locations.]

*More on Europe Opening to US Citizens

“The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, in a Sunday (April 25) interview with the New York Times. “This will enable free movement and travel to the European Union. Because one thing is clear: All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by E.M.A.” 😊

The E.M.A. is the drugs regulator for the European Union, and has approved all three vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) currently being administered in the United States. 

Note: individual countries may impose stricter guidelines. And, if you are going to stay in the EU for a long, slow visit, be sure you understand the Schengen Agreement!

In Conclusion

Are you on top of all this? Did you learn something new? Are you vaccinated? I’m getting my Moderna booster on Thursday… Don’t forget to get your card laminated for free at Staples.

Please speak up if you have any other information or if you have questions. This article was written in response to many questions I’ve had from the community about the Covid Vaccine Passport, and because it’s something I needed to figure out for myself. (Can’t wait to visit my grandbabies in Germany…hopefully this summer!).

Post Script

I made it into Germany, even before it opened! Did you read the story??

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