The fact that in the United States against vaccines COVID-19 are free and without major restrictions, a growing phenomenon already sparking outrage and warnings in that country has spread en masse: vaccination tourism.
(You may be interested: the Colombians who will observe through the space telescope of the future).
States like California, Florida, New York and Texas As of this year, they were required to begin limiting the free administration of doses – given that they are currently insufficient to cover the entire population – to people requesting them as temporary residents or from other parts of the country. the country.
Needless to say, the uneven march of the vaccination against this virus In Latin American and Caribbean countries, it has resulted in many people organizing express trips to that country to get vaccinated.
In fact, the media has reported cases of politicians and public figures in the region who have decided not to wait for the assigned services in their country.
One of the most notorious is that of Peru’s presidential candidate Hernando de Soto, 79, who admitted to the United States to get vaccinated.
(Also: Northern Lights Season: Where to See Them?).
In his defense, he said he did this, bearing in mind that the campaign required him to travel across the country and be in contact with many people, and then immunization had already started in his country for people his age; He added that at least he has not withheld doses from anyone in Peru.
Similar arguments have been made by public figures in the region, some of whom published the event, while regretting that they were unable to obtain the vaccine in their own country.
This is the case with the popular 73-year-old Mexican presenter Juan José Origel, who posted a photo of himself on his Twitter account in late January while receiving the vaccine in Miami, Florida: “Already vaccinated !! Thank you #usa How sad that my country has not offered me that certainty !!!”.
Worth saying this “Vaccination Tourism” It is given by the generosity with which they apply doses in some states, based on guidelines such as those of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC); according to them, “the federal government offers the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of immigration status or health insurance.” In other words, it does not require proof of residency, citizenship or insurance.
(Plus: Would you like to learn English? Apply for these British Council Scholarships).
Paradoxically, this openness, which attracts not only foreigners but also citizens of that country from one state to another in search of doses, diminishes the possibilities of immigrants waiting for a vaccine.
According to a BBC Mundo report on the subject, published in early February, the Florida Department of Health reported that as of January 27, just over 52,000 vaccinated people had been registered as living “out of state.”
Vaccine tourism is not allowed. It’s unpleasant, people shouldn’t come here to get vaccinated and fly away.
Faced with outrage among citizens who could not make arrangements to get vaccinated, authorities began to take measures, such as requiring proof of residence for anyone applying for the vaccine.
“Vaccine tourism is not allowed. It’s disgusting, people shouldn’t come here to get a vaccine and fly away, ”Florida Emergency Director Jared Moskowitz said in a statement.
The situation varies from state to state, and for that reason even travel agents advertise packages to Louisiana and Arizona that do not require proof of residency or citizenship and offer the option of getting vaccinated at health centers and some pharmacy chains and even from supermarkets. However, it is clear that civil pressure can motivate the imposition of restrictions at any time.
An emerging trend
This phenomenon is not unique to America. The flow of people around the world looking for vaccines generally goes to developed countries, which have high doses available and can even sell them to individuals.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) advocates free access to vaccines regardless of people’s condition or immigration status, not everyone likes initiatives like that of a Mumbai-based travel agency (Gem Tours) that offered travel packages from India to the United States. United States and United Kingdom, to be vaccinated.
After all, the movement is growing, and nations are loving Russia, Cuba, India, Dubai and Costa Rica They have already seen the opportunity to offer tourist trips that include the vaccine. Some of them, it’s worth saying, are in the consolidation phase of this offer.
TO TRAVEL
Also find in Life:
Was Gagarin the first human in space?
Fossils of a ‘beast’ with five teeth discovered in Patagonia
If livestock does not adapt to the climate scenario, it will lose the market