Canadian travelers have been able to travel freely to the United States since the outbreak began, but some Canadians who received the Govt-19 vaccine in two different doses due to the new U.S. travel regulations announced Monday feared they would soon be denied access. .
Since the beginning of November, USA Will be required Foreign travelers entering the country must be fully vaccinated. The problem is that the United States has not yet agreed to mix COVID-19 vaccines.
“I’m very concerned about this US policy,” said Kathy Husser, Ontario’s Angoster, who owns a dose of Covshield (AstraZeneca brand) and a dose of Pfizer. I have booked a flight to Maui that will depart on November 7th.
“I don’t even know if I can cross the border,” he said. “This is a problem.”
At the same time as the United States files its own vaccine requirements, the country lifts the travel ban for air travelers List Dozens of countries with red flags.
“We will establish strict regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by travelers to the United States internationally,” White House Press Secretary Jen Zaki said Monday.
CBC News asked the American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Millions of Canadians With mixed vaccines, travel to the country is allowed when the need for the vaccine begins. The CDC said it was in the “regulatory process” stage to decide which vaccines would be accepted.
The company also established its current policy: People would be considered fully vaccinated if they had all the recommended doses of the same Covit-19 vaccine, such as Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca.
“Currently, the CDC does not approve joint vaccines,” said spokeswoman Christine Nordland.
But there are exceptions to the rule. The CDC says on its website: Mixed doses of two MRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna are acceptable in “exceptional cases” such as the unavailability of the vaccine used for the first dose.
However, the combination of the Astrogeneca and MRNA vaccine does not meet the requirements, which were taken by cruise ships departing from US ports.
“Guests with a single dose of AstraZeneca with a single dose of MRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) will not be considered.” Royal States of the Caribbean Travel line on their website. “We continue to encourage disease control and prevention centers and other U.S. government officials to re-evaluate these policies.”
‘I started to cry’
Canada is one of many countries – Including Germany, Italy, France and Thailand – Distributed mixed vaccines to some of its citizens. But there is no international consensus on this practice.
CDC conducts tests on the safety and efficacy of joint vaccines in the United States, and the company may update vaccination recommendations as new data become available.
But this will not bring comfort to mixed-dose Canadians who have already made travel plans to the United States and booked snowflakes and winter vacations.
In May, Norma Shrupak of Oriya, Ontario recorded a special family trip to the US Virgin Islands to celebrate her partner’s 75th birthday. The trip includes a one-week charter boat trip in February for $ 26,000.
The problem is that five out of ten family members who travel – including Krobak and her partner – own a combination of Astrogenica and Moderna.
“My heart almost exploded in my chest when I learned about the upcoming U.S. vaccine requirements for travelers,” Shrobak said. “I started to cry.”
She has already deposited $ 12,500 and although she has purchased travel insurance, she does not know if she will be able to get a full refund if she wants to cancel the trip to Grob at this time.
The trip was considered a surprise birthday present for Grobak’s partner. But he speaks publicly about it, hoping the Canadian government will put pressure on the United States to accept mixed vaccines.
“Someone has to take this bull by the horns,” he said. “There has to be something that can be done.”
Many Canadians who have received mixed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are struggling to travel to countries where they have not been fully vaccinated. Travel bloggers Karen and Brian Hauser talk about how ‘disappointing’ terms affect their travel plans and businesses. 6:34
Canada has updated its vaccination guidelines In June Recommend compound doses of the Covit-19 vaccine based on growing research showing that it is safe and effective.
On Thursday, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tom, Canada is in talks with the United States about the upcoming request for a vaccine for foreign air travelers.
“We have been in constant talks with our American colleagues,” he told a news conference. “Following the MRNA vaccine, we provided some technical support to help them decide on the combined dose of Astrogenogen.”
The waiting game
Henry Chang, a lawyer who specializes in Canadian and U.S. immigration law, said he hoped the United States would soon change its position on mixed vaccines.
Chang said he works with Toronto law firm Dentons.
If the United States does not give hybrid vaccines by November, some Canadians still have options. QuebecOn ManitobaOn Saskatchewan On Alberta Each will provide a third dose of the vaccine for people who need to travel in their province.
But that doesn’t help travelers like Ontario’s sandals, she has to wait to find out the fate of the plane.
“I feel so devastated, I feel like I have no control,” he said.
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