FOR those who are preparing to travel as the country gets ready to re-open its borders on Saturday, the Ministry of Health has issued specific guidelines for international vaccination cards especially as it relates to Covid-19.
In a press release on Monday, the ministry stated that International Vaccination Cards were only required for international travel and were issued at the offices of the County Medical Officers of Health (CMOH).
The ministry stated, “Where applicable, members of the public who have upcoming international travel plans are strongly advised to acquire or have their existing international vaccination card updated with proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
“They should keep the international vaccination card in their possession when travelling internationally. An international vaccination card will only be processed and issued by the offices of the CMOH. Those with upcoming international travel plans will be facilitated, in the first instance.”
Members of the public who have upcoming international travel plans and require proof of Covid-19 vaccination should prepare a sealed envelope that is properly labelled with full name, contact number and email address (where possible) with the following documents included: copy of biodata page of passport, copy of local immunization card (front page and page with proof of Covid-19 vaccination), travel itinerary and existing international immunization card where applicable.
The completed and properly labelled package containing all the documents then must be delivered to the office of the respective CMOH within their county. Once advised by the respective office of the CMOH, persons must return to the CMOH office to collect the documents, including the international immunization card.
Requests and processing of cards will initially be prioritised based on the date presented for travel. The average processing time will be three to five working days from the date of drop-off.
Local immunization cards
For unstamped local immunization cards, the public is advised that the relevant Regional Health Authority (RHA) or the Ministry of Health representative should stamp the outside of the card upon first issue. Once the card itself is stamped, there is no need for an additional stamp every time a vaccine is administered.
People without an RHA or Ministry of Health stamp on the outside of their Local Vaccination Card and do not require an international vaccination card, should contact the same RHA that administered the Covid-19 vaccine to have the card validated and stamped.
For those who require an international vaccination card may have their local vaccination card validated at the office of the relevant CMOH. In this instance, the actual local vaccination card should be included in the package for the international vaccination card request.
“These measures are being put in place to efficiently manage the expected increase in public requests for international vaccination cards and to ensure that Covid-19 health protocols are maintained,” the ministry stated.
