Where can I travel to receive a COVID vaccine as a tourist?
According to a recent FT article:
Doses of the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford could be available for purchase in India as soon as March, according to one manufacturer, in the first sign that the sought-after jab will make its way on to the private market.
Once the job is approved for use, Serum will initially supply the Indian government but then expects to sell 20m-30m doses to private facilities, according to Adar Poonawalla, chief executive.
But that's going to be in March at the earliest. Are there locations where one can travel to receive the vaccine even sooner? The requirements are:
- The country in question must be open to tourism or at least medical tourism
- Any tourist should be able to obtain the COVID vaccine or at least any tourist over a certain age
- Its okay if the vaccine is still in the trial phase, as long as tourists are accepted into the trial
- Its okay if you have to pay to get the shot
NB: I am aware that traveling can be a risky activity during the pandemic, but for some people the chance to get vaccinated sooner could make the trip worth it. As an example, you might be a doctor or a nurse in a country which won't receive the vaccine for a long time.
Best Answer
Where can I travel to receive a COVID vaccine as a tourist?
As far as I know, currently no country fit your 4 requirements to receive a COVID vaccine as a tourist, and no plan has been scheduled yet to do so. (mostly because governments tend to first focus on their residents, and getting enough vaccines for them is currently still a struggle + not that many countries are open to any tourist).
Regarding clinical trials, this keeps changing; you can track them on https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=COVID-19 and you most likely don't want to be in a phase 0 or 1.
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Answer 2
According to reddit, this is possible in Abu Dhabi right now with the Sinopharm vaccine.
Sinopharm (Beijing) vaccine is now available for free in these locations
I have just taken a shot, it is open 7 days a week. Expats as well. Also heard in radio, even with those with visit visa can take. Took me only 30 mins in total.
Abu Dhabi:
- Al Wathba South Majlis
- Majlis Mohamed Khalaf
- Majlis of first astronomer (???? ????)
Al Ain:
- Majlis Al Sarooj
- Majlis Al Roudha
- Maljlis Al Markhaniya.
Notes:
- Two shots total, 2nd shot is after 21 days
- Travelling freely back to Abu dhabi border from other emirates is possible only after 28 days from 2nd shot, once Al Hosn app shows Green status.
- Aged below 12 and above 70 cannot take vaccine.
- Preganant and Breast feeding mothers cannot take vaccine.
- Emirates ID required for residents.
- Timings typically between 9.30 am to 4 pm
from https://www.reddit.com/r/abudhabi/comments/kb0h17/sinopharm_beijing_vaccine_is_now_available_for/
Answer 3
There are travel packages reportedly sold to go to Russia to get th Sputnik V vaccine:
Hovewer, similar thing appeared earlier in Czechia and was labeled as fraud so better to be careful.
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https://www.rbth.com/business/332938-czech-vaccine-tours-branded-as-fraud-by-russian-health-ministry
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