Does France recognise the Novavax vaccine for international travel?

Reader Problem: Does France recognise the vaccine Novavax in the exact same way as mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) for entry into the region? 

France classifies people today coming into the place as remaining ‘fully vaccinated’ 28 days immediately after the administration of the one-dose Janssen vaccine, or 7 days after the next dose of an additional vaccine accepted by the European Medications Company (EMA), the inside ministry states.

The vaccines that have acquired approval from the EMA are: 

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
• Moderna (Spikevax)
• Janssen (Johnson&Johnson)
• AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria/Covishield) 
• Novavax (Nuvaxovid)

The EMA suggested Novavax for authorisation in the EU in December 2021, and since then the 1st doses of the vaccine have been sent all around the globe. 

Novavax was granted approval by France’s well being assistance excellent regulator the Haute autorité de santé in January. 

Study additional: Novavax will become fifth Covid vaccine to be approved in France

The nation then ordered 3.2 million doses, and began administering them in March.

Novavax is not particularly outlined on the French interior ministry website page that specifics global journey limits, and the info does not seem to have been updated since the Novavax vaccine was accepted in France. 

Nevertheless, the point that the state accepts EMA-accepted vaccines, and states that on the page, usually means that it must automatically be recognised. 

News website Le Journal des Femmes does state that a person who has been given two doses of  Novavax is considered completely vaccinated less than travel principles. 

One particular added complication is the truth that France will only recognise a individual who gets two photographs of Novavax as “fully vaccinated” for the 9 months after the second shot. Immediately after that, the particular person will have to get a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine, this means either Pfizer or Moderna, to maintain their thoroughly vaccinated position. 

What transpires if you did not acquire an EMA-permitted vaccine? 

People today who were being in the beginning vaccinated with a vaccine permitted by the Planet Overall health Organisation but which is not on the EMA’s record – this kind of as the Russian Sputnik jab, for instance – can nonetheless be classed as vaccinated on sure problems. 

They should acquire an added dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 7 days ahead of moving into the country to rely as fully vaccinated. 

It should really also be pointed out that grown ups who obtained their next vaccine dose more than 9 months back will have to have a booster dose prior to travelling to France in buy to retain their ‘fully vaccinated’ status.

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