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Without a booster, EU vaccination certificates will no longer be valid nine months after the basic immunization at the latest.
This decision will come into force on February 1st, as the EU Commission announced on Tuesday.
Theoretically, the EU countries can still use a veto, but this is as good as impossible, since the regulation was coordinated with the states according to the commission spokesman.
Booster vaccinations are therefore recommended no later than six months after the full vaccination.
The vaccination certificate should be valid for three more months before it expires, so that you have enough time to get a booster vaccination.
Booster against Omicron
The background to the decision is the decreasing protective effect of the corona vaccines on the market.
Studies have already clearly shown that the immunity built up after the double vaccination decreases again after a few months.
A booster vaccination refreshes this protection, the immune system then forms antibodies again that can fight off the coronavirus.
The third vaccination is therefore very important in order to stay well protected, especially for older people or people with previous illnesses who are at high risk of developing serious Covid-19.
In addition, the currently available data indicate that the double vaccination alone protects less well against the Omikron variant.
According to preliminary study data, the vaccines from Biontech and Moderna are still effective against the new Omikron variant after three doses.
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Coronavirus: According to Biontech, triple vaccination protects well against Omikron
Preliminary study data: A booster dose with Moderna probably protects well against Omikron
The EU vaccination certificate consists of a QR code that is created directly after the vaccination in practices and vaccination centers or is subsequently available in Germany, for example in pharmacies. The code can be displayed in a smartphone app and can be read out digitally. The codes are recognized throughout the EU despite different apps in the individual countries and make it easier to provide evidence of vaccinations, fresh tests and recently recovered infections with the coronavirus when traveling.
EU Commission President Ursula der Leyen had already announced after the EU summit last week that her authority would promptly submit a regulation with a view to the EU vaccination certificate.
Before this year's summer season, the EU countries and the EU Parliament had agreed on the final details of the Europe-wide certificates.
They are now recognized in numerous countries outside of the EU.
he / dpa
