(1)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 lays down a framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, test and recovery certificates (‘EU Digital COVID Certificate’) for the purpose of facilitating the holders’ exercise of their right to free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also to contribute to facilitating the gradual lifting of restrictions to free movement put in place by Member States, in accordance with Union law, to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, in a coordinated manner.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2021/953 allows for the acceptance of COVID-19 certificates issued by third countries to Union citizens and their family members where the Commission finds that those COVID-19 certificates are issued in accordance with standards that are to be considered as equivalent to those established pursuant to this Regulation. Furthermore, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/954 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), Member States have to apply the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/953 to third-country nationals who do not fall within the scope of that Regulation, but who are legally staying or residing in their territory and who are entitled to travel to other Member States in accordance with Union law. Therefore, any equivalence findings laid down in this Decision should apply to COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the Vatican City State to Union citizens and their family members. Similarly, on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2021/954, such equivalence findings also apply to COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the Vatican City State to third-country nationals legally staying or residing in the territory of the Member States under the conditions laid down in that Regulation.

(3)

Following a request by the Vatican City State, the Commission carried out, on 29 June 2021, technical tests that demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the Vatican City State in accordance with its ‘VA-EUDCC-GW’ system are interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953, allowing for the verification of their authenticity, validity and integrity. The Commission also confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the Vatican City State in accordance with the ‘VA-EUDCC-GW’ system contain the necessary data.

(4)

On 9 July 2021, the Vatican City State provided the Commission with detailed information on the issuance of interoperable COVID-19 vaccination certificates pursuant to the system entitled ‘VA-EUDCC-GW’. The Vatican City State informed the Commission that it considered that its COVID-19 vaccination certificates are being issued in accordance with a standard and technological system that are interoperable with the trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 and that allow for the verification of the authenticity, validity and integrity of the certificates. In this regard, the Vatican City State informed the Commission that COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the Vatican City State in accordance with the ‘VA-EUDCC-GW’ system contain the data referred to in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(5)

In addition, the Vatican City State informed the Commission that it will issue interoperable vaccination certificates for COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty.

(6)

The Vatican City State also informed the Commission that it will accept vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953. The Vatican City State informed the Commission that it will accept proof of vaccination for vaccines with an EU wide authorization (following an opinion by the European Medicines Agency), vaccines that have been granted a temporary marketing authorisation by the competent authority of an EU Member State, and vaccines that have completed the WHO Emergency Use listing procedure. The Vatican City State further informed the Commission that it will accept test certificates based on NAAT (e.g. RT-PCR) and Rapid Antigen Tests on the list of Health Security Committee. The Vatican City State also informed the Commission that it will accept recovery certificates based on NAAT (e.g. RT-PCR).

(7)

On 22 July 2021, the Vatican City State also informed the Commission that, when verifying vaccination, test and recovery certificates issued by the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953, the personal data included in the certificates shall be processed only to verify and confirm the holder’s vaccination, test result or recovery and will not be retained afterwards.

(8)

The necessary elements for establishing that COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the Vatican City State in accordance with the ‘VA-EUDCC-GW’ system are to be considered as equivalent to those issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are thus fulfilled.

(9)

Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued by the Vatican City State in accordance with the ‘VA-EUDCC-GW’ system should be accepted under the conditions referred to in Article 5(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(10)

In order for this Decision to be operational, the Vatican City State should be connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953.

(11)

In order to protect the Union’s interests, in particular in the area of public health, the Commission may use its powers to suspend or terminate this Decision if the conditions of Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/953 are no longer met.

(12)

In the light of the need to connect the Vatican City State to the EU Digital COVID Certificate trust framework established by Regulation (EU) 2021/953 as rapidly as possible, this Decision should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(13)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2021/953,