Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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694. To ask the Minister for Health if Covid-19 vaccinations will be included in the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis yellow book (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13021/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has supported the development and issuance of the EU Digital COVID Certificate as an internationally recognised, standardised vaccination certificate. Each individual person vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ireland is entitled to a standardised Digital COVID Certificate recording that vaccination.

There are now 35 non-EU countries (and territories) have joined the EU Digital Certificate system, based on EU equivalence decisions. The COVID certificates issued in those 35 countries (and territories) are accepted in the EU under the same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate. Likewise, the EU Digital COVID Certificate is accepted by those 35 countries.

From 6th March 2022, travellers to Ireland are no longer required to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative PCR test upon arrival. There is also no longer any requirement to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form prior to departing for Ireland.

The International Certificate referred to by the Deputy is a record of vaccination that is a requirement when travelling to certain non-EU countries. The vaccinations included in the International Certificate are set out in International Health Regulations. The Department is not aware of any plans to have COVID-19 vaccination included in the International Certificate at present.