With the announcement that Costa Rican migrants are to receive Covid-19 Vacccines, non-resident foreigners here in Nicaragua have been asking about visiting Costa Rica to get the Covid-19 vaccine after hearing that Costa Rica is opening up the Covid-19 vaccination program to migrants.
However, as of today, Costa Rica has not announced a program for vaccinating foreigners that in particular deals with incoming tourists or that makes the vaccine commercially available.
As with other countries in the region, the Covid-19 vaccination process in Costa Rica is dependent on the vaccines being available on the day as well as the demand at any particular vaccination center. Some foreigners have reported being turned away if not in possession of proof of legal residency.
Migrants
After asking all Costa Ricans over 18 years of age to get vaccinated, Carlos Alvarado, the President of Costa Rica turned to the issue of migrants.
He made a plea to all migrants in the country “of any status”, to get the Covid-19 Vaccination. He invited them to attend any vaccination center and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) will vaccinate them as long as they have on them an identity document, such as Resident DIMEX, Refugee applicant, refugee, work permit, passport etc.
The president said “Those people who work and who are not necessarily insured by their employer have the right to a COvid-19 vaccination” He urged them not to be afraid as the CCSS will attend to them if they produce any kind of document. Alvarado made it clear that “We are doing this as a country”.
The CCSS will be extending the hours of the vaccination points to accommodate those who work. They have been vaccinating people at weekends and will soon be working in the evenings to accommodate people who work.
Citizen Safety
The intent of the decision to vaccinate migrants (documented or not) was based on the overall safety of the entire population already in the country and could be exposed to (or exposing others to Covid-19).
There are thousands of documented Costa Rican migrants (but not with residency), as well as non-documented migrants (working or otherwise) in Costa Rica. Both groups contain many Nicaraguans who have been living in Costa Rica since the Socio Political issues of 2018.
Covid-19 Insurance Exemptions for Entry to Costa Rica
“In Costa Rica, there is no Vaccine Tourism”
The Presidential Office of Costa Rica spoke to clarify confusion and clear up doubts about the new group that has access to immunization against the virus in that country.
18th September 2021
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