COVID-19 pandemic remains a challenge across various jurisdictions globally and with changing vaccine efficacy, and hesitancy, and COVID outcomes, various countries have since updated their definition of being fully vaccinated or immunized.
Government of Canada, for the purpose of international travel to qualify as a fully vaccinated against COVID-19 you must:
- have received at least 2 doses of a vaccine accepted for travel,
- a mix of 2 accepted vaccines or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine, have received your second dose at least 15 calendar days before you enter Canada.
On 13th January, 2022, The Ministry of Health in Ontario recommended that the interval between the second dose third dose of COVID-19 vaccine be at least two months (56 days)
As of 16th January, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has adopted the term Up to date with vaccination.
On 21st January, 2022, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam stated that the federal agency will re-examine the definition of fully vaccinated to include the booster dose in the primary vaccination series as being ‘up to date’.
On 4th February, 2022, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has issued an updated guidance on suggested intervals between previous SARS-CoV2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination
Jagwani, M; Reeder, B; Groot, G; Muhajarine, N; Mueller, M; Ellsworth, C. What are the latest health policy definitions of being fully vaccinated? 2022 Feb 10, Document no.: EOC220101 RR. In: COVID-19 Rapid Evidence Reviews [Internet]. SK: SK COVID Evidence Support Team, c2022. 20 p. (CEST rapid review report).