Covid vaccine and travel. 12 year old won’t be vaccinated in time

Louisehallie

My 12-year-old had Covid in October and so is only just eligible for his first vaccine which is tomorrow. We are due to travel on the 9th of April and his second vaccine will only be due the week before this. Spain say you should have had your second vaccine 14 days before travel. The regulations for Spain have changed since we booked the holiday. Also our government only gave the go-ahead for 12 to 17-year-olds to have two vaccines on the 29 dec so until this date 1 vaccine would have been enough. 
We are being refused a refund even though this is not our fault and guidance has changed since booking. 
Please help we are due to pay the balance this weekend. 

Louisehallie

Sorry I wrote this at the weekend. He had his first vaccine on the 9th January. 

[Deleted User]

This is one for your travel insurance, if it covers this scenario.

onashoestring

Who is the holiday booked with, some companies ( e.g Easyjet , BA )will allow you to change to a later date ? 

If not you will probably be able to claim on your travel insurance as the rules have changed since you booked the holiday. You will need to check the T&Cs of your policy.

It’s also possible that you may be able to bring your child’s second vaccine forward a week. 

Louisehallie

Thanks for your replies. We’ve booked a TUI holiday through holiday Hypermarket. I think we can change it but don’t really want to as my 85 year old mum is coming and wants to go on holiday with her grandchildren. I’ve tried bringing the vaccine forward but they’ve said categorically no!!!!

Caz3121

Cancelling at this stage looks like it would be loss of deposit (more than 56 days out) which you would then be looking to reclaim from your travel insurance if policy covers...what is the excess?

onashoestring

You aren’t entitled to a refund with but TUI do offer fee free changes .

So you can change the booking to a date when you can all go together .

sheramber

Louisehallie said:

Thanks for your replies. We’ve booked a TUI holiday through holiday Hypermarket. I think we can change it but don’t really want to as my 85 year old mum is coming and wants to go on holiday with her grandchildren. I’ve tried bringing the vaccine forward but they’ve said categorically no!!!!

If she wants to go with your son she will have to change the dates as he will not be able to go, unless the rules change before you travel.

But that is a gamble.

silvercar

A lot can change between now and April. Under current UK rules the first date for second jab would be 3 April. That doesn’t leave you with a 14 day gap before your holiday, but between now and April, one of 3 things could happen:
 Spain may change the rules
the UK could change the rules on vaccine gaps.
your child could catch covid and then be eligible for a recovery certificate.

your choice whether you move the holiday, cancel or wait and see.

munchpot

silvercar said:

A lot can change between now and April. Under current UK rules the first date for second jab would be 3 April. That doesn’t leave you with a 14 day gap before your holiday, but between now and April, one of 3 things could happen:
 Spain may change the rules
the UK could change the rules on vaccine gaps.
your child could catch covid and then be eligible for a recovery certificate.

your choice whether you move the holiday, cancel or wait and see.

At the moment Spain aren't accepting recovery certificates - it's double vaccinated or no entry (With limited exceptions, but holiday's aren't one of those'

Sorry to sound harsh but it's Spain who have changed their entry requirements not your holiday company, so it would be down to your insurance to recover any lost monies.

Also it's not Spain saying you need to have 14 days from the vaccination.  That applies to everyone. You are not officiallu fully vaccinated for any of the does until 14 days after your last dose. The NHS app won't issue a Covid Travel Pass until injection date +14 days

But as Silvercar says a lot can change between now and then

MiserlyMartin

To the OP it is totally unfair and Spain are being ridiculous about requirements for children to be jabbed. Even if you wanted to get them jabbed and the child wanted it it is practically impossible to do in the timescales. Huge mistake from Spain here. Looks like the only thing you can do is change the dates and holiday later on. Personally I would be giving Spain a wide berth and be holidaying in a more welcoming country in the years to come.