The Italian Medicines Agency, AIFA, on January 5, 2022 approved 3rd dose booster vaccines for ages 12-15. This decision comes after the health ministry circular on December 27, which opened third dose boosters to the 16-17 age group. This gives the 12-15 age group the possibility of coming into compliance with the new, shorter vaccination certificate timeframe of six months from the most recent vaccine dose, which will go into effect on February 1, 2022.
What does this mean for minors traveling to Italy who can't get a booster dose?
Be sure to check the date on your own as well as your children's vaccination certificates. Starting February 1, 2022, vaccination certificate validity will be reduced in Italy to six months from the time of the most recent vaccine dose. This is part of a decree under the Italian state of emergency, which is currently slated to expire on March 31, 2022, at which time this mandate could be renewed or modified.
If you are traveling to Italy between now and March 31, and the date of your child's second vaccine dose will be more than six months ago during the time you plan to travel in Italy, your child will not be eligible for a super green pass while in Italy unless he or she receives a booster dose prior to travel.
Please note that unvaccinated children can enter the country without having to quarantine if they travel with a fully vaccinated parent (see "Entry of Minors" here). However, not having a super green pass will prevent their access to many tourist activities, such as restaurants, museums, cultural venues and archaeological sites, public transport, ski lifts, and other venues. We translated into English the most common tourist activities listed on the Italian government's super green pass chart.