MIAMI BEACH: A long line of individuals snaked throughout the sand of Miami Beach, Florida, as dozens of travelers from Latin America waited their turn at a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination booth.
Sweating under the Sunday (May 9) afternoon sun, guests checked into an online system – no proof of residence required – and soon after received a free single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and a vaccination card.
Individuals had come from throughout Latin America – Ecuador, El Salvador, Venezuela – where the vaccine roll-out has been gradual and hampered by supply shortages.
The rush to find a vaccine has been accompanied by a sharp surge in airfares. Flights from Buenos Aires to Miami, which usually cost around US$1,000, have jumped to US$2,000 in May.
Miami Beach city commissioner David Richardson, a Democrat, who oversaw the facility, informed he has mixed feelings about the vaccine tourists.
“I believe we, the US government, should help as many individuals as possible,” he mentioned.
“My only concern is that it seems that the individuals who can afford to purchase an airfare can come to the US and get a vaccine now.
In theory, Florida vaccinates state residents or people who indicate – verbally – that they offer a service in-state. As of 10 days ago, it is no longer necessary to provide documented proof of residence.
This easing of requirements was implemented to encourage undocumented residents to get vaccinated – but it also has encouraged vaccine tourists.
Since January, wealthy Latin Americans have been creatively circumventing the now-eliminated residency requirement.
They would show bank statements for accounts with a US address, or temporary rental contracts – even with Airbnb – which could be immediately cancelled once they had been vaccinated.
More than 9 million people – out of a total of 21.5 million residents – have had at least one dose of the vaccine in Florida, according to the US health department.
“At this point, the people that haven’t been vaccinated is certainly not because of a lack of supply or a lack of availability,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said last week.
