Travellers can get Covid booster in Croatia

[maz]

We left the UK for mainland Europe in mid-September, before we were entitled to get a Covid booster in the UK as we only received our second vaccination in June. Mid-December we entered Croatia for our 90 days out of the Schengen zone. Now, with Omicron on the rise just about everywhere, we started looking into the possibility of obtaining a Covid booster in Croatia. We were delighted (and relieved) to find that Croatia is happy to give Covid boosters to travellers of any nationality.

The above screenshots are taken from the following web pages:

https://www.expatincroatia.com/tourists-covid-19-vaccine-croatia/

https://www.expatincroatia.com/covid-19-passport-croatia/

In a nutshell, we went to the mass vaccination centre in Vodice on the Croatian coast. We found out the times they were open by phoning the Tourist Information Office. We turned up a little early and there was already a queue of about 25 people which we joined. A little chilly in the queue but all very good humoured. People went inside in groups of ten and sat around in a socially-distanced circle. We were asked which vaccine we would like and opted for Pfizer (our earlier vaccinations were both AZ). All we had to show were our passports, EHIC card and certificate of previous vaccinations, which were all entered on the Croatian system. After the pretty much painless jab we were given a card with the sticker from the vaccine vial on it. We then took this card to a local pharmacy (along with the other paperwork mentioned above), and were issued with a digital certificate with a QR code, which we have since verified on the app. All in all, a very efficient service and we would like to praise the Croatian health service publicly.

I hope that this post helps other long-term travellers who need to obtain a Covid booster while on the road.

 

[15isto2]

That is very generous of them

 

[WESTY66]

Not quite boosters but we had our LF tests to come back to the U.K. in Germany (Bavaria) all free, in and out in minutes and results and certificates back before we got back to the motorhome.
Got home, PCR tests £48 and results back in 4 days, gotta love the U.K.

 

[MichaelT]

Not quite boosters but we had our LF tests to come back to the U.K. in Germany (Bavaria) all free, in and out in minutes and results and certificates back before we got back to the motorhome.
Got home, PCR tests £48 and results back in 4 days, gotta love the U.K.

Our PCR tests took 2 days for 1 and 3 days for the other but I tracked the post and they were both delivered on day 2 and day 3 so results back same day as received by the lab. Unfortunately we posted ours on the busiest posting day of the year so delays cost even though they were on 24 hour delivery.

 

[maz]

That is very generous of them

Yes, we thought so too - and were very grateful.

Apparently, Russians are flying into Zagreb on organised ‘vaccination holidays’ in order to obtain an EU-approved vaccine in Croatia. In Russia they can only get the Sputnik vaccine which isn’t EU-approved, although Croatia will allow them to enter with it. Hope this doesn’t cause Croatia to have a re-think of their policy.

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[15isto2]

Yes, we thought so too - and were very grateful.

Apparently, Russians are flying into Zagreb on organised ‘vaccination holidays’ in order to obtain an EU-approved vaccine in Croatia. In Russia they can only get the Sputnik vaccine which isn’t EU-approved, although Croatia will allow them to enter with it. Hope this doesn’t cause Croatia to have a re-think of their policy.

I really wanted the Sputnik vaccine for
The retro Cold War vibe.

 

[sciac2001]

We’ve had our boosters in Gibraltar. Had to climb the usual bureaucratic nightmare and attendant incompetence to get them but thankfully now received....

Anyway, my concern is that these boosters administered away from the UK are not compatible with our NHS vaccination records and will no doubt cause some consternation at some point when we return.

(The booster was the Astra and was sent over to Gib by the UK.)

 

[maz]

Anyway, my concern is that these boosters administered away from the UK are not compatible with our NHS vaccination records and will no doubt cause some consternation at some point when we return.

(The booster was the Astra and was sent over to Gib by the UK.)

When are you planning on returning to the UK?

Other than wanting a Covid booster for the obvious health protection, our main concern was to avoid any problems of travel in the EU when our original UK vaccine certificate reached its 9-month expiry date, which would be near the end of March. Now we have an EU certificate that is valid until near the end of September - and we don’t plan on returning to the UK until mid-June. By that time we will no doubt be eligible for yet another UK booster.

The following link from the UK government website suggests that there is no problem using an EU Digital Covid Certificate to complete the ever-popular Passenger Locator Form. Hopefully our world-beating NHS computer system will also be able to cope with the idea.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countri...ccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination

 

[Lynne Roy]

Benicassim Spain also vaccinating any nationality x

 

[sciac2001]

When are you planning on returning to the UK?

Other than wanting a Covid booster for the obvious health protection, our main concern was to avoid any problems of travel in the EU when our original UK vaccine certificate reached its 9-month expiry date, which would be near the end of March. Now we have an EU certificate that is valid until near the end of September - and we don’t plan on returning to the UK until mid-June. By that time we will no doubt be eligible for yet another UK booster.

The following link from the UK government website suggests that there is no problem using an EU Digital Covid Certificate to complete the ever-popular Passenger Locator Form. Hopefully our world-beating NHS computer system will also be able to cope with the idea.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countri...ccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination

We are returning in March.
The qr code given to us in Gib is currently not recognised by either the uk or the eu.
Expecting it to be accepted before long.

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[gus-lopez]

Anyway, my concern is that these boosters administered away from the UK are not compatible with our NHS vaccination records and will no doubt cause some consternation at some point when we return.

Ring up your uK surgery & ask them to add it to the nhs app & your records.

Benicassim Spain also vaccinating any nationality x

Here also.

 

[sciac2001]

I’m told that the surgery will want it on their records but apparently at present the nhs app can not accept it.
Will give it a go anyway. Thanks