By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica

Celebrating Christmas certainly felt different this year.

It followed many fears, anxieties, adversities and loss of the past 10 months, all of which still weigh heavily upon us. Many were not able to be with family, neighbors and friends as in years past. There are still so many sick and under strain as some of us tearfully recall those who succumbed this year.

We miss those loved ones as well as past norms and freedoms once taken for granted.

In the midst of this intrusive pandemic – as reflected in client communications – the main preoccupations are over travel logistics, costs of health insurance, abbreviated length of stays in Costa Rica, and above all, safety from COVID and the diametrically opposed views on recently announced vaccines.

In this article I will deal with the latter first, since it is causing the most stress.

Recent poles from the U.S., Canada and the EU, show that the public seems to be split right down the middle on vaccines. While half the population cannot wait to roll up their sleeves, the other half want nothing to do with these injections. Political intrigues abound. Siting survivability of COVID at 96–99.4% – many question the need for everyone to get the needle.

I will leave the opinions and choices for individual readers to choose for themselves.

There can be no question that some ex-pats either in Costa Rica now or in the process of migrating here, are vulnerable and rightfully frightened over the prospect of succumbing to COVID. So these vaccines will hopefully provide protection and lowering of fears to the point of recipients enjoying the spontaneity of life once again. Particularly that good life they seek here in this uniquely beautiful and environmentally healthy country.

There have been publically announced proposals for the rollout of COVID vaccines here in Costa Rica. It looks like all who will want the vaccine, will have access by June or sooner. The prioritizing will likely be the same as in the U.S.

First responders, healthcare workers, grocery store and government workers etc., and seniors with provable compromised immune systems from serious illnesses will be the first to have access. More details on the Costa Rican rollout will no doubt be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

I also still get emails about other vaccines being mandatory as a condition of residency in Costa Rica. I covered that in an article back on August 5, 2019 following my personal interview with Dr. Roberto Arroba, Head of Immunization for the Costa Rica Ministry of Health, and the Esquema Nacional de Vacunas (National Vaccination Program). There has been no change in this policy.

Only COVID vaccines will likely end up being mandatory once the initial recipients on the priority list have been vaccinated.

Please watch for my following article dealing with the COVID impacted changes to the residency process.