Will Covid Vaccine Be Mandatory For International Travel?

As is known, the COVID-19 epidemic broke out globally, spread on a large scale and many people died from infection with this virus. Because to be able to fight the heavy spread, as well as protect the health of citizens and minimise the effects of COVID-19 when accidentally infected, governments have mobilised people to vaccinate to protect health. Vaccinating healthy people will help them have antibodies to fight the COVID-19 virus, as well as reduce the impact of the virus if infected or infected with variants of this dangerous virus strain.

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The Current COVID-19 Situation in The World

Up to now, the COVID-19 epidemic is still very complicated. Governments around the world are trying to control the epidemic situation as tightly as possible. They tried to control the number of people entering and leaving the border, as well as restrict entry into the country in non-essential cases, requiring medical declarations to control the health situation of local citizens and foreigners, and mobilising people to get vaccinated to protect the health of themselves and their families.

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Although vaccine coverage in many countries is very high, governments still require and urge citizens to comply with regulations to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19. Recently, a new COVID-19 variant called AY 4.2 that is believed to be more infectious and deadly than the Delta variant is raising concerns about the outbreak becoming more intense. This variant has spread to 42 countries, and it is reported that no citizens have travelled abroad, so the public is very confused about the transmission route of this dangerous virus.

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Because the variants of the COVID-19 virus change constantly and are unpredictable, governments around the world are planning to control and accept living with the disease to be able to maintain the economic situation of the country.

What Types of Vaccines Are Widely Accepted Globally?

Research and development of vaccines have been accelerated to reduce the harmful effects of the COVID-19 virus. Accordingly, many vaccines have been recognized by the World Health Organization - also known as WHO, and governments of countries around the globe such as:

• BiONTech
• AstraZeneca
• Moderna
• Sinovac
• Pfizer
• Sinopharm

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Once you have received two vaccination doses of one of the globally recognized vaccines, you will be included in the category of fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be given priority entry if you wish to study or work in other countries.

>> Read more about the Widely Recognised COVID-19 Vaccines for International Travellers.

If I Want to Travel, What Travel Documents Will I Need?

If you wish to travel to another country in this period of time, you will need to comply with the requirements of COVID-19 prevention and entry regulations of the host country to apply for an entry visa. Most countries will require documents including:

• Certificate negative for COVID-19 virus
• A negative PCR test within 48h or 72h depending on the country you visit
• Certified to be fully vaccinated
• Form to declare health situation in the country
• The form to declare the health situation at the request of the host country
• Guarantee documents of competent authorities
• Legal Passport
• Invitation for good cause for educational or urgent business reasons

Is Vaccination Effective and Does It Protect My Health?

As announced by scientists, they have weakened the COVID-19 virus by many scientific methods to ensure the safety of the vaccine before it is widely used. Vaccines will give you an immune barrier to fight the COVID-19 virus and reduce your health risks if you are accidentally infected.

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You can choose the vaccine to be given based on your age and personal health situation. Usually, when you're done with the injection, you'll feel a bit dizzy and sore where the injection was given in your upper arm. Some people may experience side effects such as fever, fatigue, headache, heart palpitations, muscle aches, chills and diarrhea. However, you should rest assured to rest and eat well because this is when the body begins to get used to and respond to the vaccine so that it can create an immune barrier later on.

Can I Travel to Other Countries in This Period?

Although vaccines have high global coverage up to the present time, we should still not be subjective. In some countries, they will still advise citizens to go out less, if not necessary. The same is true when it comes to tourism. Unless it is an urgent work or study problem, you should still stay at home to avoid the risk of infecting yourself with the virus during this sensitive time.

Several countries around the world have announced their reopening to tourists. However, most countries require passengers to have a negative test certificate for COVID-19, have 2 full shots of the vaccine, and some places will require self-isolation from 8-14 days depending on the country. to control the COVID-19 epidemic in the country, as well as possibly promote the development of the domestic tourism industry.

If I Have Not Got Any Vaccine Dose Before, Can I Travel Internationally?

Most countries’ authorities in the world require that people who enter their country need a legitimate reason such as studying, professional work, COVID-19 test certificate, counting, PCR rapid test, and being fully vaccinated of COVID-19 vaccine 14 days ago. So, if you have not had any vaccinations, it will be very difficult for you to apply for a visa or register to travel to other countries.

And when the epidemic is difficult to predict, you can travel domestically in your own country. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, it is very difficult to have international flights throughout as in the past. In the worst-case scenario, you may end up stuck abroad, and have to wait a very long time for a rescue flight due to your home country.

Is It Compulsory that Everyone Should Be Vaccinated if They Travel Internationally?

At this time, being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is an issue that governments around the world are trying to work towards. At the same time, they also require foreigners entering the country to prove that they have been fully vaccinated with 2 vaccines to ensure stable health, as well as not being able to contract the virus when they arrive in the country. Therefore, vaccination in any case of domestic or international travel is still a mandatory provision in a time when the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic is still complicated and unpredictable.

The full vaccination will give the vaccinated person's body time to produce antibodies to fight the virus' damage to the immune system. Likely, when the body got used to the COVID-19 virus from the vaccine, they had a stable immune barrier. In the event of accidental infection, a fully vaccinated person will have stronger antibodies to fight COVID-19, as well as reduce the high risks of infection. In addition, strictly complying with full vaccination against COVID-19 also helps to expand vaccine coverage within the country where you live and globally. The more we are aware of expanding vaccine coverage, the less complicated and widespread the epidemic situation will be, as well as contributing to minimising the harmful effects of the disease on the country's economy and other people’s health. 

Conclusion

Vaccination does not only protect the health of yourself and your family but it also expands vaccine coverage around the world. We should try to get vaccinated as soon as possible, to have time to protect our health, as well as help us quickly get priority if we have a desire to travel.

We hope you have a happy trip and have many great experiences on your journey!