Discussions on the terms of validity of vaccination certificates are already taking place in a number of countries, and this conversation has also begun in Latvia. There may be some common recommendation at European level to ensure the compatibility of travel certificates, but in the absence of such a certificate, there are concerns from the government that a booster vaccination period could be required for a nine-month period. Opinions on the usefulness of setting such a term are still divided among scientists, TV3 News reports.
The proposal to revoke the certificates of all types of Covid-19 vaccines in the absence of an additional vaccine or the so-called maintenance vaccine could soon be on the government’s agenda, TV3 News reports to the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The Prime Minister believes that the term of the Covid-19 certificate should be set. This issue has already been discussed with the Ministry of Health. The effects of vaccines have been shown to decrease over time. An effective decision on the duration of the Covid-19 certificate should be taken uniformly throughout the European Union. It is also planned to talk about it at the European Council in the middle of December, ”says the office of Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (JV).
Read more – The vaccine against Covid ‑ 19 is available to all adults
One of the main questions there is how long vaccination certificates can be revoked – six months or nine. If each Member State has its own conditions, it will cause significant inconvenience to travelers, for example.
“If this deadline is not timely, agreed and implemented quickly, if we see that this discussion is delayed, then Latvia would definitely be ready to introduce such a deadline itself. It will certainly be no longer than the nine months that the European Union has mentioned for travel between Member States. Maybe it could be justified that it is shorter. However, there will definitely be a transition period so that people can get a booster vaccination so that there are no unnecessary complications and difficulties, ”says the Minister of Health Daniels Pavļuts (AP).
Read more – The EC encourages the introduction of a primary vaccination requirement for the Covid ‑ 19 certificate
The Minister of Health emphasizes the need for primary vaccination for risk groups. It is too early to judge whether the primary vaccination certificates would be revoked for them alone or for all ages. Vaccine recipients who are still ill with Covid-19 could avoid revoking the certificate.
“It should be considered that he has been vaccinated or there have been three doses. Illness, plus two doses with a completed course, such a person does not need a primary vaccination, and therefore, when introducing the validity of the certificate, these circumstances should be taken into account, ”explains the Minister of Health Daniels Pavļuts (AP).-
The desire of politicians to revoke vaccination certificates if a basic vaccine has not been received surprises Professor Anita Villerušs, a member of the National Immunization Council (IVP). Although the effectiveness of the vaccines does begin to decline after six months or due to a mutation in the virus, the protection against Covid-19 is still high enough and continues to save us from severe disease and death. At present, there is no reason to link all this to the revocation of vaccination certificates.
“The certificate is now such a political tool. At the very least, I am not aware of any scientific data or studies that mention a specific timeframe or a threshold for the effectiveness of vaccination, at which point the certificate should be suspended. What the National Council for Immunization has repeatedly emphasized is that we do not currently recommend revoking certificates after a single dose of Janssen or any other dose of the vaccine. Such a recommendation has not even been discussed, ”explains Anita Villeruša, a member of the National Immunization Council.
She believes that the government should continue to focus on promoting primary vaccination in at-risk groups, rather than rushing forward with a proposal to revoke primary vaccination certificates altogether. The government has not yet asked for the opinion of the IVP, but the position of some members is contrary to the view of politicians. The head of the council Dace Zavadska is ready to comment only next week.
– .
