CanSino CONVIDECIA Vaccine Approved for H-2A Workers

As we reported here, since January of this year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has required non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise nationwide.  This requirement was extended on April 21.

To be considered “fully vaccinated” for purposes of travel to the United States, vaccines accepted will include current FDA approved or authorized vaccines and World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listed (EUL) vaccines. Until recently, CONVIDECIA, a vaccine manufactured by CanSino Biologics, China, and commonly administered in Mexico, has not be accepted since it was not EUL listed by the WHO.  However, that changed on May 19th, when the WHO issued an EUL for the CanSino CONVIDECIA vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19.

As a reminder, non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals, whether for essential or non-essential reasons, must continue to:

• verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status;
• provide, upon request, proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC website;
• present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, or Enhanced Tribal Card; and,
• be prepared to present any other relevant documents requested by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer during a border inspection.