Travel Vaccine Breaking News

The European Commission (EC) President von der Leyen issued a media statement today on the new SARS-CoV-2 virus variant known as Omicron (B.1.1.529).

'We do know that mutations could lead to the emergence and spread of even more concerning variants of the virus that could spread worldwide within a few months.

It is now essential that all of us in Europe act very swiftly, decisively, and united.

The EC has proposed to Member States on November 26, 2021, to activate the 'emergency brake' on travel from countries in southern African and other countries affected to limit the spread of the new variant.

All air travel to these countries should be suspended.

And they should be suspended until we have a clear understanding of the danger posed by the new Omicron variant.

Furthermore, travelers returning from this region should respect strict quarantine rules,' concluded the President's remarks.

According to the ECDC, travel-related cases have been detected in Belgium, Hong Kong, and Israel as of November 26, 2021.

The Omicron variant is the most divergent variant that has been detected in significant numbers during the pandemic so far. It belongs to Pango lineage B.1.1.529, with a high number of S-gene mutations compared to the original coronavirus.

The variant is characterized by 30 changes, three small deletions, and one small insertion in the spike protein; of these, 15 are in the receptor-binding domain.

This variant was first detected in samples collected on November 11, 2021, in Botswana and on November 14, 2021, in South Africa. 

The WHO's Emergency Committee announced on November 23, 2021, it reviewed the data on wild poliovirus (WPV1) and circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) reported in various countries during 2021.

Three additional countries have been infected with cVDPV2, bringing the total number of currently cVDPV2 infected countries to 30 in three WHO Regions (African, Eastern Mediterranean, and European).

The three newly infected countries resulted from the international spread of cVDPV2, namely Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, and Ukraine.

The number of cVDPV2 cases in 2021 totals 420, of which 266 have occurred in Nigeria.

The Committee unanimously agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and recommended the extension of Temporary Recommendations for three months.

The Committee recognizes the concerns regarding the lengthy duration of the polio PHEIC but concluded that there are still significant risks despite apparent progress made in the two endemic countries.

Therefore, the coming three months would be a critical period to monitor the situation closely. 

To alert Americans, the U.S. CDC recently reissued two high-level Travel Advisories for international destinations that are considered high risk for polio.

'Before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of a polio vaccine,' says the CDC.

A listing of polio vaccines can be viewed on this webpage.

On November 1, 2021, the CDC issued a Level 2 Advisory for Africa.

Previously, the CDC issued a Level 2 Advisory on October 14, 2021, for Asia and Eastern Europe.

Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly disease that affects the nervous system.

Because the virus lives in the feces of an infected person, people infected with the disease can spread it to others when they do not wash their hands well after defecating. People can also be infected if they drink water or eat food contaminated with infected feces.

As of Monday, November 22, 2021, the Government of Greece is restricting access for unvaccinated individuals to many categories of businesses and public services, reported the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Greece.

Under the new rules, unvaccinated adults:

• Cannot access/enter: Enclosed eating areas, entertainment facilities (cinemas, theaters), museums, exhibition centers, fitness centers, and sports venues.  These facilities may be accessed only by those who are fully vaccinated or have documentation of recovery from COVID-19.
• Can enter only with a negative lab rapid test or PCR test: Unvaccinated individuals seeking access to churches, schools, public and private sector places of work, retail shops, hair salons, or outdoor eating areas may enter by presenting a negative laboratory rapid test no older than 48 hours or a PCR test no older than 72 hours.
• Can enter with no documentation required: Unvaccinated individuals can enter supermarkets, bakeries, sweet shops, pharmacies, and urban public transportation.

However, children aged 4 to 17 may access the top two categories of facilities with a negative self-test taken within the last 24 hours, documented via the Self-Test Declaration form.  

And children under four do not need to show any documentation.

The U.S. Mission in Greece adopts the following guidelines and entry procedures to comply with Greek restrictions and Executive Order 14043.  

Also, on November 22, 2021, people ages, five and older must show proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result to enter the U.S. Embassy Athens and Consulate General Thessaloniki.  

Visitors, including passport and notarial applicants, must provide proof of vaccination (the Greek or E.U. digital COVID certificate, VAMS vaccination certificate, CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record card, or Vaccine Attestation Form) or other documentation according to age category. 

Individuals requesting emergency assistance from the Consular Section will not be prevented from doing so regardless of vaccination status.

The U.S. Embassy Athens can be reached at +30 210-721-2951, or, [email protected].

Furthermore, please be advised that the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Athens will be closed on November 24 and November 25, 2021.

Note: The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Greece in August 2021.

The local TV station in Orlando Flordia FOX 35  reported on November 20, 2021, it obtained a copy of an internal Disney memo distributed to cast members addressing changes to its COVID-19 vaccine policy. 

The Disney memo says more than 90% of Florida cast members have verified they are fully vaccinated.

The company's response to its COVID-19 vaccine policy update is inserted below:

'As you know, in July 2021, the company announced that based on the recommendations of scientists, health officials, and our medical professionals that the COVID-19 vaccine provides the best defense against the virus, the company was implementing a mandatory vaccination policy.

Under our policy, all U.S.-based salaried and hourly non-union employees, as well as employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement that adopts this policy, are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of their continued employment.

The company's view of the wisdom of that approach has not changed.

"Due to the passage this week of a new Florida law on employer vaccine mandates, and the federal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard mandating the vaccine being stayed, we must pause the enforcement of our policy for Florida-based Cast Members and employees.

"As we assess the full impact of this new legislation, we are immediately pausing the enforcement of our mandatory vaccination policy for Florida-based Cast Members and employees until further notice.

"All Florida-based Cast Members and employees who have not verified full vaccination will be required to follow our safety protocols for unvaccinated Cast Members, including face coverings and physical distancing.

"While Florida-based Cast Members and employees do not currently have to verify vaccination status, they may still do so through the TrustAssure process.

Cast Members and employees who do not verify vaccination status through the TrustAssure process will be considered unvaccinated.

"All pending requests by Florida-based Cast Members and employees for an accommodation exempting them from the company's vaccine mandate will be considered on hold for the time being and will not be evaluated by the company.  

Should the company later resume its accommodations process in Florida, pending accommodation requests will be evaluated at that time."

Regarding Disney customers, the company website says: Please make sure that you have reviewed any advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel to Florida. There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. 

Visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/ for information. 

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported on November 17, 202, the west Africa country of Nigeria confirmed additional circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) infections.

Nigeria reported six new cases, three from Bauchi state, plus one from Gombe, Katsina, and Yobe states.

Year to date, Nigeria has reported 280 cases. However, during 2020, Nigeria reported only 8 cases.

The International Health Regulations classify Nigeria as a state infected with cVDPV2 with the potential risk of international spread. It is, therefore, subject to temporary recommendations as of August 2021.

Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly disease that affects the nervous system, says the U.S. CDC.

Because the virus that causes polio lives in the feces of an infected person, people infected with the disease can spread it to others when they do not wash their hands well after defecating.

And, people can also be infected if they drink water or eat food contaminated with infected feces.

To alert international travelers of their health risks, the CDC issued a Level 2 Travel Advisory on November 1, 2021, for the polio-belt in Africa, which includes Nigeria. 

Adult travelers that (1) previously completed the entire routine polio vaccine series, (2) have not yet received an adult booster dose, and (3) are going to any of the destinations listed should receive a single, lifetime booster dose of a polio vaccine, says the CDC.

Even those who have been sick with polio previously may need a booster dose of a polio vaccine.

Furthermore, to help prevent the international spread of polio, the World Health Organization recommends that the destinations listed require residents and long-term (4 weeks or more) visitors to show proof of polio vaccination before leaving the country.

Visit this PrecisionVaccinations webpage to see a listing of Authorized Polio Vaccines.

Note: There is an outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria. Travelers to Nigeria should take steps to prevent yellow fever by getting vaccinated at least ten days before travel.

The Washington DC-based Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it expects airport security checkpoints nationwide will be busy from Friday, November 19, through Sunday, November 28, 2021.

However, the TSA says it is prepared to screen about 20 million passengers during the Thanksgiving holiday.

The highest travel day in TSA's history was the Sunday after Thanksgiving of 2019, when nearly 2.9 million individuals were screened at TSA security checkpoints nationwide. 

Typically, the busiest days during the Thanksgiving travel period are Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sunday afterward. 

"We anticipate that travel may be very close to pre-pandemic levels this holiday, and we are staffed and prepared for the holiday travelers. We have deployed technologies that enhance detection capabilities and reduce physical contact. However, it's equally important that passengers are prepared with travel tips for the most efficient checkpoint experience," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a press statement issued on November 17, 2021.

"With greater confidence in healthy travel, there will be more people traveling, so plan, remain vigilant, and practice kindness."

The best way to ensure a smooth trip through the security screening process is to arrive early and be prepared.

"I recommend that travelers pay attention to the guidance that the TSA officers are providing at the checkpoint," Pekoske added.

"They may be directing you to a shorter line or guiding you around someone who is moving slowly."

"And they may be giving you some advice that will lessen the likelihood that you'll need a pat-down."

Travelers can get assistance in real-time by submitting their questions and comments to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger.

Travelers can also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. Staff is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends/holidays, and an automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Depending on your destination, COVID-19 vaccination may be required, as well as travel vaccines, such as yellow fever.

Visit the U.S. CDC travel directory to learn which vaccines are required.