Chris Storey, a prosthodontist primarily based in London, Ont., booked a flight to Barbados on July 29.
Storey, who’s absolutely vaccinated, wished to go to household in Barbados.
However after reserving the week-long journey, Storey realized he could be required to seek out lodge lodging for 5 days to attend for his COVID-19 check outcomes — one thing vaccinated travellers aren’t requested to do in Barbados.
Storey mentioned that is when he known as the Consulate Normal of Barbados in Toronto to ask concerning the nation’s vaccine insurance policies and was informed he was not vaccinated “within the eyes of Barbados,” as a result of he did not obtain the identical vaccine for each doses.
Vaccines authorized by Barbados embrace AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson, in keeping with the federal government’s web site. However nowhere does it word that vaccine mixtures aren’t seen as legitimate.
Storey had acquired Pfizer for his first dose and Moderna for his second, which was the one obtainable choice to him on the time.
“I mentioned, properly they’re each mRNA vaccines … so far as the Ministry of Well being in Canada’s involved, we’re vaccinated,” Storey mentioned. “It is very irritating, it is ridiculous.”
“Do I simply cancel my journey, or do I am going 5 days early?” he mentioned.”It is an additional 5 days of lodge payments to pay for reasonably than staying with my sister.”
Vaccinated travellers in Barbados are required to remain at a lodge upon arriving as much as 24 hours till they get their adverse PCR check outcomes again. Unvaccinated guests, nonetheless, should keep of their lodge rooms till they obtain their check outcomes on day 5.
Whereas Canadians are allowed to journey, the Authorities of Canada continues to induce residents to keep away from non-essential journey exterior of the nation, in keeping with its web site.
“We proceed to advise Ontarians that mixing of the mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, in addition to mixing Astrazeneca and an mRNA vaccine is protected, it is efficient, and it allows individuals to get their second dose sooner,” mentioned Affiliate Chief Medical Officer of Well being Dr. Barbara Yaffe on Tuesday.
In a launch on Tuesday, the Middlesex-London Well being Unit (MLHU) additionally urged Londoners to get vaccinated as quickly as they’ll.
Well being officers level to the rising prevalence of the Delta variant and the speed at which COVID-19 continues to have an effect on those that stay unvaccinated.
“Research from throughout Europe proceed to point that mixing vaccines is protected and produces a robust immune response,” mentioned Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Well being on the MLHU.
“No matter which vaccine you acquired on your first dose, getting a second dose as quickly as potential is a very powerful factor you are able to do to forestall critical sickness, hospitalization and doubtlessly spreading COVID-19 to your mates or family members.”
