Far-flung U.S. citizens clamour for vaccines from embassies

[Misty]

21 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

The U.S. Embassy did it once when there was a Hep epidemic here in the 80s. It would not be that hard to do it again.

If Cobra Gold is still on and all soldiers must be vaccinated first, perhaps the US could offer a deal with Thailand: we'll help vaccinate your soldiers (as the US is doing with 550,00 soldiers in South Korea), and at the same time, also provide vaccines for our citizens.  Heck, they could even provide a US military medical team to help with the vaccinations.

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26 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

The U.S. Embassy did it once when there was a Hep epidemic here in the 80s. It would not be that hard to do it again.

Back then there were a lot less Americans and security procedures were a lot less lax. Doing what China did, without the stipulation that Americans go to the head of the line, would be the best solution.

[placnx]

35 minutes ago, Misty said:

 

And now Uncle Sam announces plans to vaccinate 550,000 South Korean soldiers.  Well done! Now, can some of our taxpayer dollars be used for actual US citizens?  work...https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-says-us-will-vaccinate-south-korean-soldiers-against-covid-19-2021-05-21/

Before Biden continues with these giveaways, he should consider expanding vaccine production. His staff appears to trot with blinders.

[Misty]

Just now, placnx said:

Before Biden continues with these giveaways, he should consider expanding vaccine production. His staff appears to trot with blinders.

 

Maybe some of the US's unwanted AZ will be sent to South Korea, for soldiers over 30.  https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/26/politics/astrazeneca-vaccines-us-share/index.html

[Dustdevil]

On 5/15/2021 at 6:58 PM, mackayae said:

They go by the book. I have never experienced "out of their way" service. That applies to all embassies and consulates.

Then the book was pretty helpful in my case in Abu Dhabi. And satisfactory in many other countries.

[mackayae]

19 hours ago, Misty said:

If Cobra Gold is still on and all soldiers must be vaccinated first, perhaps the US could offer a deal with Thailand: we'll help vaccinate your soldiers (as the US is doing with 550,00 soldiers in South Korea), and at the same time, also provide vaccines for our citizens.  Heck, they could even provide a US military medical team to help with the vaccinations.

Traditionally, during past Cobra Gold exercises, there would be groups of Navy Corps men, doctors and dentists in various parts of the country providing medical services for the Thai population. Having them administer Covid vaccines could easily be done.

[Peabody]

On 5/15/2021 at 7:58 PM, mackayae said:

They go by the book. I have never experienced "out of their way" service. That applies to all embassies and consulates.

US Embassy in Manila went out of their way for me. I arrived shortly (1-2 hours) after closing time to get and submit my application for social security benefits. I guess they saw my long face, because they asked me what my situation was. I explained I was flying out the next morning. They had a short huddle, made a call and they arranged to let me in to process my paperwork.

[placeholder]

20 hours ago, placeholder said:

Back then there were a lot less Americans and security procedures were a lot less lax. Doing what China did, without the stipulation that Americans go to the head of the line, would be the best solution.

Meant to write "more lax"

[placeholder]

20 hours ago, placnx said:

Before Biden continues with these giveaways, he should consider expanding vaccine production. His staff appears to trot with blinders.

There is excess production capacity in the US already as far as domestic demand goes.

[rucker4012]

China set the bar by being the first country to provide it's expats a vaccine. USA should be shamed by ignoring problem.

[Misty]

2 hours ago, mackayae said:

Traditionally, during past Cobra Gold exercises, there would be groups of Navy Corps men, doctors and dentists in various parts of the country providing medical services for the Thai population. Having them administer Covid vaccines could easily be done.

Thank you, that's really good to know.  I wonder how widely known this is? 

 

So many overseas US humanitarian programs seem to go unnoticed.  Yesterday a Thai friend told us she was sure that China had paid for AZ vaccine development.  She was unaware (and didn't believe when told) that AZ received significant US taxpayer funding, as did a number of the other major vaccine producers.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/08/08/feds-spending-more-than-9-billion-covid-19-vaccine-candidates/5575206002/

[placnx]

7 hours ago, mackayae said:

Traditionally, during past Cobra Gold exercises, there would be groups of Navy Corps men, doctors and dentists in various parts of the country providing medical services for the Thai population. Having them administer Covid vaccines could easily be done.

The military is significantly more capable than State for medical missions. Maybe US government could send send a negotiator from Washington to facilitate arrangements.

[Phulublub]

18 hours ago, placnx said:

The military is significantly more capable than State for medical missions.

 

The <insert nationality> military is significantly more capable than <insert other Government agency> for <insert description> missions.

 

Fixed that for you!

 

PH

[Misty]

On 5/14/2021 at 5:36 PM, Jingthing said:

Not the same issue.

This is a once in a century pandemic.

But as you mentioned yes expanding Medicare to expats has been on the agenda of lobbying efforts for American citizens abroad for decades but nobody really thinks it will happen.

Vaccines for a pandemic is a one off.

Its realistically doable. Not saying that they will but they could if they wanted to.

 

"Some governments are prioritizing their citizens over foreign residents, and in some countries the only available vaccines are ones that haven’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, such as AstraZeneca and Sinovac....As ambassadors, our priority was to secure the health and safety of all Americans. It is time for the U.S. to offer Covid-19 vaccines to our fellow citizens living overseas."  --

 

In "The Americans Who Can't Get Vaccines"  By Michael George DeSombre and Scott Brown. Mr. DeSombre served as U.S. ambassador to Thailand, 2020-21. Mr. Brown served as a U.S. senator from Massachusetts, 2010-13, and ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, 2017-20.

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-americans-who-cant-get-vaccines-11622156230 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jacko45k]

On 5/13/2021 at 7:36 AM, DUNROAMIN said:

Get in line with all the other expats, what makes you think you more special than everybody else.

Maybe they are still paying substantial taxes back to the USA?

[ifmu]

the french brought in vaccine for its citizens   why cant usa uk etc ..  give it to red cross or ?   ..  why are countries so incapable 

[Mike k]

20 hours ago, ifmu said:

the french brought in vaccine for its citizens   why cant usa uk etc ..  give it to red cross or ?   ..  why are countries so incapable 

Don't know about the UK but the US don't give a s***