Booster vaccine dose added to NHS Covid travel pass as some countries require proof

Brits will now be able to travel to some countries without having to quaratine. Credit: PA

Booster vaccines and third dose jabs will be added to the NHS Covid-19 pass for international travel from Friday.

It will make travel to countries including Israel, Croatia and Austria easier as such destinations have already introduced time limits for when first and second jabs are no longer valid to guarantee quarantine free travel.

Third doses won't be added to the domestic Covid Pass app, as only two jabs are needed in the UK for you to be considered fully vaccinated.

Non-Brits travelling into England will not have to show evidence of a booster either.

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The electronic NHS Covid Pass was launched last year, and allows users to show their vaccination status on their mobile phones.

Some venues and travel operators require customers to use the app in order to use their services.

Making the announcement, health secretary Sajid Javid said the government wants to make it "as easy as possible" for Brits to show their vaccine status if they are going on holiday or seeing loved ones overseas.

Croatia is one of the countries Brits will be able to travel to quarantine-free if they've had their booster jab. Credit: AP

Over 13 million booster and third jabs have now been administered in the UK, according to data from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The government has urged those eligible to get a booster dose of the Covid vaccine as Covid cases continue to grow in Europe.

On Friday, Austria announced it was heading back into a nationwide lockdown, while earlier this week Boris Johnson warned of "storm clouds" gathering on the continent as infections rise.

The UK's booster jab programme has now been extended to people aged 40-49.

The NHS Covid app (pictured) allows users to prove their vaccination status on a mobile phone. Credit: PA

Mr Javid on Friday described booster jabs as the country's "best defence" against the virus.

"I urge all those who are eligible to come forward and get boosted", Sajid Javid said. Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup said it has "never been easier" to book your booster dose and has urged those not yet jabbed to do so. "Come forward as soon as possible for maximum protection ahead of Christmas", she said.

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