Travelling abroad is more complicated than ever. With countless countries requiring vaccination certificates and differing lists of no-fly zones, obtaining everything from a Kenya eVisa to a business visa for the USA has extra hurdles you must complete.
And that’s before you even begin thinking about obtaining a vaccine overseas. With 83% of vaccines going to higher-income countries, only 0.2% have gone to economically unstable nations. It’s a sad truth that not everybody in the world will have access to the vaccine, and that’s why many people have opted to travel abroad for theirs.
Of course, this comes with it’s price tag as well; airline flights from the USA alone have skyrocketed in price during the pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped both US Tourist visa holders and undocumented migrants from travelling to the country to obtain their COVID jabs. Despite its economic inequality, vaccine tourism is one of the only ways at present that the citizens of low-income nations can obtain a vaccine. This blog will explore how it works and which countries are offering vaccines for tourists and travellers.
Which Countries Offer Vaccines To Foreigners?
There is a range of countries across the globe that are offering vaccines to foreign travellers. These include:
China And Dubai
With one of the most efficient vaccine programmes in the world, China and Dubai are now in a position where they can safely bookmark vaccine stockpiles for use by foreign travellers in their country.
Russia
Russian vaccine manufacturers Sputnik V are offering their vaccine to foreigners visiting the country. Mobile clinic sites are abundant, and there are even tourist trip packages that include a visit to the vaccination sites.
Thailand
Thailand is another country that is offering round trips to vaccine centres for travellers through tourism packages. These vaccines are the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson variety.
Maldives, Guam and the Philippines
These smaller countries may very well have reached herd immunity by the time this blog is being read, and vaccine tourism is in fact part of the plan to defibrillate the national economies.
US Tourist Vaccines - Who Can Get Them?
Although travel bans to the US from specific countries may mean that some tourists cannot enter the country, there are exemptions in the form of NIE’s. National Interest Exceptions allows business investors, athletes and other visitors to the US who may benefit the nation may be eligible to visit the US and receive a vaccine even if they live in a country currently under the thrall of heightened coronavirus restrictions.
How It Works
Most countries where you can get the vaccine as a tourist work along similar lines, although some countries' processes may vary on a clinic by clinic basis. This outline is focused on the US process for overseas visitors and US visa application holders specifically, but you can expect something similar at most tourist verified clinics in other nations.
You’ll be allowed to visit a pharmacy or vaccination clinic and ask for a jab. Some may require you to book online for an appointment but most will allow you to come in in person during opening hours. No vaccine clinic will ask for proof of residency but you may be asked for ID or passport. You will be required to fill out a simple health form and once you have received your first dose, you will be given a note outlining possible dates for your next appointment.
AdminPUBLISHED ON 29 Jul 2021
Comments
