Mixed messages for travellers cause confusion

As borders start to re-open, many Canadians are eager to take a long-delayed trip abroad. However, some may be restricted by a confusing patchwork of rules surrounding mixed vaccines and travel. While Canada has approved mixed vaccines, some other countries and modes of travel have not. Canadians can enter the U.S. with mixed vaccines, provided they have a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival. “Where it becomes tricky is with cruises that depart from the U.S., as many cruise companies are strictly following the CDC guidelines, which do not currently recommend mixing vaccines unless they are both mRNA vaccines,” says Dr. Sherilyn Houle, assistant professor at University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy. “So people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine followed by an mRNA vaccine would be considered not fully vaccinated and cannot currently board many cruise ships. For some companies, this applies only to cruises departing from U.S. ports and not to cruises by that company departing from a non-U.S. port.” Houle notes that some large indoor venues, such as in New York, also require attendees to be fully vaccinated according to CDC guidelines, so again, Canadians with mixed vaccines that include AstraZeneca may not be granted entry. Each country has its own rules when it comes to accepting mixed vaccines or various specific brands of vaccines. Trinidad and Tobago, for example, only recognizes the mixing of vaccines if it is an AstraZeneca/Pfizer mix, and not two different mRNA vaccines. Houle points out that some European countries do not accept the COVISHIELD (the Indian-made version of AstraZeneca) vaccine either. Visitors to these countries can still travel there but must quarantine and have negative COVID-19 tests similar to unvaccinated travellers. And currently, only residents of Quebec may receive a third dose to get two vaccines of the same brand, and only for essential travel. Given the confusion around mixed vaccines, healthcare professionals should be advising all travellers to research their destination’s vaccination requirements as well as look into any requirements for specific items on their itinerary prior to booking any travel, suggests Houle. The federal government is currently negotiating with other countries to try and resolve the restrictions, so it is anticipated that mixed vaccine doses will be more widely recognized with time, says Houle. “As travel resumes, we do expect to see some changes in terms of recognition of mixed vaccines, but for the time being, people who have received some mixed vaccines may have to hold off on cruises or travel to certain countries.” These frustrations aside, it is much more important that patients have been fully vaccinated with any of the vaccines approved in Canada. “Reassure your patient that they did the right thing by taking the first vaccines that were available to them and that work is being done worldwide to ensure all approved vaccines are recognized,” says Houle.

Mixed messages for travellers cause confusion

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