AstraZeneca vaccinated fans can't see Bruce Springsteen Broadway show

In what could be the first of many differing post-COVID protocols, music fans who have received an AstraZeneca vaccine will not be allowed to see Bruce Springsteen’s upcoming Broadway show.

Producers of the show — opening on June 26 at St. James Theatre — have said all audience members must be vaccinated with a US Food and Drug Administration-authorised vaccine.

Unfortunately for many Canadians, Europeans and Australians, AstraZeneca is not on the list.

“At the direction of New York State, only FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) will be accepted for proof of vaccination for ticket holders 16 years and older,” a statement on behalf of St. James Theatre said.

“Guests will need to be fully vaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine in order to attend Springsteen on Broadwayand must show proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theatre with their valid ticket.”

The statement said audience members over 16 must be fully vaccinated and 14 days out from the final dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult and also must provide proof of a negative antigen COVID-19 test taken within six hours of the performance start time or negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time.

DH News Vancouver reported that Ontario Health officials were asked about what the policy meant for Canadians who were fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca.

“Those conversations are happening as we speak, and we will make sure that individuals in Ontario and Canada who received a Health Canada, NACI approved AstraZeneca, will have the same rights as individuals who received other vaccines,” said Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.

The move has wider implications and has sparked concerns over whether those vaccinated with a non FDA-approved vaccine will be allowed to travel to the US as the world slowly gets back to normal.