What is vaccine tourism? How certain countries shield their doses against the possible arrival of foreigners with an interest in immunization

Chile announced this Wednesday, October 10, the modification of its coronavirus vaccination criteria toforeigners, reserving immunization only for those who are residents or have initiated the visa request, reported Foreign Minister Andrés Allamand.

The measure seeks to avoid the so-called “vaccine tourism” after a report by a Peruvian television network was broadcast in the country that explained that for some$ 1.000You could travel to Chile and receive the vaccine, where it is free and voluntary.

“Foreigners who are in the country with a tourist visa will not have the right to be vaccinated in Chile. Foreigners who are tourists but who come from a country that does not require a visa will not have the right either,” the minister explained.

“Thirdly, foreigners who are in the country in an irregular situation, but who have not started the process of applying for a temporary or permanent visa, will not be able to get vaccinated either,” he added.

In total, 651,266 have received the first dose and 13,436 the first and second doses.

What's happening in Peru?

Peru is another of the nations that have adopted measures. The Peruvian portalHealth with Magnifying Glassreleased a statement from the Government of that country: “Given the misinformation spread byWillaxTVand the programMagaly TV, the Chilean Ministry of Health recalls that there is a resolution in which foreign tourists are excluded from the vaccination process, as a way to prevent and avoid 'vaccine tourism.'"

In the South American nation there aremore than 30,000 health care professionals, according to the records of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), a population that will be vaccinated as a priority, as the vaccination process progresses. Last weekend they arrived300,000 doses.

Unlike those two countries, Cuba has plans to hook potential tourists with the offer of vaccination for a cost. This is stated in an article on the specialized portalTourist Environment.

"This is the case of 'vaccine tourism', an intention that was officially communicated by the Government of Cuba, where they are working on creating their own vaccine, not only to provide it to their population, but also to sell it and offer it to visitors in order to to reactivate tourism, an initiative that other destinations will surely seek to replicate in the medium term, once the issue of logistics to achieve these objectives is clearer,” it is outlined.

For now, Soberana 2, as they call the Cuban vaccine, is in phase 3 of testing. In the first instance, the digital portal adds, the aim is to immunize the residents of the island, and then meet the demand of tourists, those who seek the vaccine beyond the sun, the beach and the culture of Cuba.

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The lack of doses in developing countries generates this interest in those people who can afford a trip, as if it were an annual vacation trip, despite the risk of contracting the virus along the way. The pandemic continues. Worldwide, there have been 107 million cases and 2.3 million deaths, according to information from the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 digital map.

Health tourism paradise

In other latitudes these plans are already a reality. In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is positioning itself as one of the paradises of so-called health tourism.

The chainRTVEaccount in aarticlethat “some travel agencies and entities in the luxury sector offer this service to their clients over 65 years of age, as they are the most at-risk and priority group for vaccinations.”

“They are vacation packages only suitable for people with high purchasing power, since they usually cost around 40,000 euros for a three-week trip, enough time to receive the two doses of the vaccine that guarantee immunity against the coronavirus.”

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The US also receives this type of tourists

The same publication mentions the state of Florida, United States, which has registered an increase in the arrival of wealthy tourists from Latin America and Canada to request the vaccine. There, health authorities do not require proof of residence to be immunized.

Ecuador, another reality

In Ecuador, a pilot vaccination plan is being carried out, which contemplates the arrival of 86,000 doses. So far, health authorities have received 8,190. A total of 6,228 people have been vaccinated against the new coronavirus, as of February 4. Among the beneficiaries are front-line medical personnel and older adults.