FAMILIES planning a half-term break to a popular US destination will have to think again due to strict new vaccine rules.
Some states including New York are requiring kids as young as five to have had both jabs of the vaccine.
However, kids between 5 and 11 are yet to be included in the vaccine rollout in the UK.
Even if they were offered their first dose today, they would still need to wait another eight weeks for their second dose – scuppering half-term plans this month.
This is in comparison to the US, which has vaccinated more than five million children between 5 and 11 since November 2021.
And since January 29, New York is now requiring kids between this age to have had both vaccines to enter indoor venues including restaurants and cafes, as well as tourist attractions.
The New York City website confirms: "Starting January 29, 2022, children ages 5 to 11 must also show proof of full vaccination."
This means families hoping to go away during the half-term holidays are unlikely to be able to do so.
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Worried travellers have been taking to social media, with one person asking: "Have New York trip booked from UK. All vaccinated except son age 8.
"Just heard children 5+ must be vaccinated in NYC to enter any indoor space. Is this the case? If yes, then is our only option to cancel?
"It’s a rule that cannot be met by European citizens."
Someone else said: "That’s going to scupper a lot of people’s plans for half term, I guess.
"You could get a very nasty surprise turning up at the airport."
Other states have also warned they will introduce similar rules soon, such as San Francisco, while Boston will require 5-11-year-olds to have both jabs from May 1.
The current entry rules for the US only requires Brits aged 18 and over to be fully vaccinated to enter,
States such as Florida are not enforcing strict rules, so holidays to Disney World with young travellers won't be affected.
There are still strict rules in place across Europe too, with Spain now requiring all arrivals over the age of 12 to be fully vaccinated.
Other countries have eased travel restrictions – we've rounded up the 34 countries Brits can enter without needing any Covid tests.
And the UK is scrapping all Covid tests for Brits returning to the UK from February 11.
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