People with mixed vaccines face a bit of uncertainty when travelling abroad
The travel bug is starting to bite, but it seems those with mixed vaccine cocktail might have to wait a bit before getting an actual cocktail while vacationing abroad.
"When we’re looking at travel across Canada, you’re fine if you have a mixed dose," said Gary Howard of CAA Travel. "It’s when we start to look at international travel that’s where there’s some question marks coming up."
That's because some countries aren't accepting visitors with a mixed vaccination record.
According to Health Canada, between the end of May and June 26, 6.5 million Canadians chose to mix their doses, following the advice of public health officials.
Howard says he anticipates other countries will soon recognize the effectiveness of two different doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
"I expect all the countries are going to want to get this straightened out," Howard said. "All the scientific community is saying is that mixed doses are just as good, if not better than regular doses."
Count Barbados among them.
The country's government changed its mind after first not allowing mixed-dose visitors into the country.
There are some cruise lines that also aren't allowing passengers with a mixed vaccine record to board their ships.
Howard says policies are constantly changing and cruising is actually among the top vacation experiences travel agencies are booking.
"What we’re seeing a lot of is Europe and cruises, river cruises and ocean cruises," Howard said.
Howard's advice is that if you are planning on taking a vacation outside of Canada, you had better book now.
"If you’re thinking about travelling next year and a lot of Canadians are, get a deposit down and talk to your travel agent right away," Howard said. "Looking ahead to later '21 and into '22, there’s a great deal of sales going on and capacity is filling up."
While many Canadians are looking to scratch that travel itch, the government's official advice is for people to not travel for non-essential purposes.
The situation is changing rapidly, and Howard added that he’s confident vaccination policies will change by the peak of the fall and winter travel season.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.