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Coronavirus

Are Expats Getting Vaccinated?

I’ve got a friend who signed up both his parents for the vaccine at the same time, his mum is Kuwaiti while his dad is older and an expat. His mum got vaccinated while his dad still hasn’t gotten an appointment. So now I’m wondering if they’ve started vaccinating expats or if they’re prioritizing Kuwaitis first.

Does anyone know if they’ve started vaccinating expats who aren’t health care workers?

Update: The comments have been locked

75 replies on “Are Expats Getting Vaccinated?”

Does it even matters at this point Mark? My parents both Kuwaitis and over 65Y old and both of them didn’t get contacted, we registered early too, the numbers are a joke, they Vaccinated 20K out of 3millions while UAE about to be done with it next month

As per the latest available official data, 300k people in Kuwait have registered for the vaccine. My guess is that most of these are expats. Also, numerically speaking if expats make up 2/3rd of the population and if they are willing to get poked, do it ASAP and aim towards herd immunity!

What’s the point of keeping them on hold in the (vain) hope that citizens should get it first? Shouldn’t it be first-come-first-served basis?

I could’ve sworn I saw quite a few expats in line for the vaccine when I went on Thursday. Other friends and relatives also said same but I guess not in numbers relative to actual expat population

It’s in NOBODY’S interest to delay expats. It doesn’t make sense if we want to achieve herd immunity

I hope the geniuses in government realize that

The expats you have seen are doctors and healthcare workers and their families, they are sadly only currently entitled to get vaccinated.

Not families, my father and brother are doctors got vaccinated. I didn’t. And by the looks of it won’t anytime soon until most Kuwaiti are vaccinated. I am lowly expat who is not a doctor.

I know for a fact that a british guy in my office, 54 years old and with no underlying health conditions has been vaccinated

Do you work in the oil sector? Because they are classified as front line along with doctors for some weird reason.

Some weird reason like 95% of Kuwait economy depends on oil production? Any idea where this money for vaccines came from?

Yes because she’s a DOCTOR! Read the post, its asking are those not in the medical field getting vaccinated

My aunt and her husband, both American citizens did get their vaccinations, and 2 dosages at that.

This was 1 month ago or if I am not mistaken.

I an Australian citizen have to wait along the side with my parents.

Seems to me they’re either doing it by age groups, or by country of citizenship lol.

Cheers!

All my aunts are Kuwaiti, old (+63), and have underlying health conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, and blood pressure… and they just received their vaccination appointments.

I guess nationality has nothing to do with prioritization.

i bet the priority is going to be ….
old kuwaitis, young kuwaitis,
medical professionals,
old arab expats, old asian expats,
young adult expats.
youngsters

keep in mind that there are different kinds of vaccines being imported as well. the ones with the most effectiveness will be given to those with higher priority.
the ones not that trustable (like covishield from india) would be given to the lower priority members.

Correction*

old kuwaitis, young kuwaitis,
western old expats.
medical professionals,
Westerns adults.
old arab expats, old asian expats,
young adult expats.
youngsters

“the ones not that trustable (like covishield from india)”

Hahaha. From where did you get that wrong info, mate? Covishield is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India, which incidentally, happens to be world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.

And in case you weren’t aware, Covishield is the local name for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (developed in the UK, if that gives you some assurance).

Last time I checked, the efficacy of the above vaccine was at 90%. Yes, it is *slightly* lower than Pfizer and Moderna vaccines (both around 94-96%) but Covishield can be stored between 2-8 degrees vis-à-vis the Pfizer jab that requires a storage at (-) 70 degrees.

“keep in mind that there are different kinds of vaccines being imported as well. the ones with the most effectiveness will be given to those with higher priority.
the ones not that trustable (like covishield from india) would be given to the lower priority members.”

What makes you an expert to say the that one from India, is not trustable??

Your statement would indicate that the medical authorities in the countries that have received them ( Kuwait, Bahrain , the UAE and Saudi Arabia included) are incompetent and are willing to accept medication from non trustable sources just so that they can vaccinate for the sake of vaccinating??

I’m not an expert. i just read the news.

There are news articles of various disputes in india from doctors and medical professionals who do not trust the indian government. there is also an ongoing battle between Covaxin and Covishield, 2 vaccines, both showing side effects and risks.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/8-docs-reject-serum-institutes-covishield-opt-for-covaxin/articleshow/80488359.cms

https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/vaccine-updates/story/rml-hospital-doctors-reject-covaxin-vaccine-want-covishield-1759708-2021-01-16

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/dont-want-to-be-guinea-pigs-most-health-workers-in-delhi-govt-hospitals-refuse-to-take-covid-19-vaccine

The arab nations have great medical professionals, but the government authorities are facing economic crises at the moment and will do anything to bring some good news to the masses.
None of the countries you mentioned above will go back into lockdown as they cannot afford it. And now that vaccines of different kinds are in the market, they will strive to get people vaccinated as fast as possible and get the economies back to its normal self.

Husband and I registered on the 11th of December, hubby is Kuwaiti and got called last week, I am an expat, cancer patient and still haven’t received a message.

They’ve now classed teachers as Frontline Workers, so that may get more expats vaccinated. Not sure if they’ve started vaccinating them though!

The registration page. When you go to register or modify your registration, click the drop down for profession…. Front Line Workers now says Ministry of Education employees. Our HR told us to sign up under this category

Are you a teacher at a private or public school? Should faculty at private schools/universities should sign up using this category?

I’m expat age 60 registered not a word. I wish the US embassy would import vaccine and off it to US citizens.

First, that wouldn’t be logistically possible. Human Resources at the Embassy are pretty limited.

Second, I think the optics on that would be pretty bad, since it would cause every other nationality with an Embassy to wonder why THEIR country isn’t doing the same thing.

Third, it would give the impression that the U.S. doesn’t trust the host nation to take care of ALL citizens, not just their own.

Al Qabas is reporting that expats won’t get vaccinated until after 60% of kuwaitis are vaccinated.

Moderna, and I believe Pfizer, received US govt funds to produce the vaccine ahead of FDA authorization. That is, the US govt basically guaranteed that any investment would be guaranteed by the US govt. That’s my tax dollars. As such, if there will be a priority list, Americans should go to the top of the list when it comes to vaccines produced by US companies. I am not in Kuwait. I am in the US and will be getting my vaccine soon. I urge every american to write to their senator / congressman and request doses be sent to military bases in Kuwait for administration to US citizens.

Not trying to offend the host country. Simply saying that if there will be a priority, Americans have a right to be at the top (with Pfizer, Moderna, and soon J&J).

Those of you who took the vaccine or know people who did, how are you being called exactly, is it by phone call or email? are they specifying a time and location?

What if someone missed the sms. Does he go back in line of country. I have alot of sms marked as spam.

I tried to register for the last two month but to no avail. It seems that the system may identify whether you are expat or not from the number in the civil ID. If any expat was capable of registering and he/she is not medical staff let him share his experience with us.

What was the error you received when trying to register? Registration is open to everyone (adults) regardless of nationality and profession.

Correct. Actually the system can tell from the Serial number in the back of the Civil ID.
Kuwaitis start with a 2, expats with a 9, Article 20 expats starts with a 5.

Some are, but it appears that Kuwaiti’s are being prioritized (which is supposedly a violation of WHO’s policies). Not surprising.

Americans should email their senators and congressman. A copy of the email to pfizer and moderna would also be a good idea. They should not be supplying the vaccine to any country that will discriminate in its administration.

expats should go get vaccinated in their home countries and not deprive Kuwaitis from the vaccine entitled to them by the government.

Mr. Einstein, for “expats” to travel we need the airports to open and removal of flight ban for those 35 countries.

Why don’t we prioritize people who majorly have been following the wearing of masks rule and safety guidelines where possible. Clearly in that situation majority of the Kuwaitis would be last in line and the expats at the top.Why does everything come back to “expats should go back to their home countries”. This country needs expats wayy more than the expats need it yet majority of them call this home.

Well, in this case the whole vaccination campaign should end in three weeks compared to the ratio of kuwaitis against expat.

Exactly. And that will make Kuwait the first country in the world to achieve herd immunity. Statistically speaking 70% is the threshold for HI, and the ratio of Expats to total population is around that much. Coincidence much?

Whether by way of logic, or optics, or plain common sense, it will be a great move if this happens. Alas, none of the three above mentioned points stand a chance in the decision making process.

Good point. How about the vaccine be prioritized for the citizens where the vaccine is produced? If you have eggs in your fridge, you have one of the ingredients needed to make vaccines. Yay!

my uncle, age 63, expat business man – article 24 visa, was an early applicant for the vaccine as he has health conditions, but hasn’t received an appointment or update yet.

I’m a 50 year old, overweight, male teacher from the UK with a serious underlying health condition (compromised immune system). If I was in the UK I’d have been vaccinated by now.

Here, I’m registered but have heard nothing. I’m fairly cool about it though. When it’s my turn, it’s my turn.

I think youre overestimating the British Government, my FIL british 66 years old has only just been told hes getting his first dose at the end of this month and he has a myriad of health conditions.

If you follow NASDAQ..Ocugen share prices are soaring after an agreement with an Indian manufacturer of the Covid Vaccine which is supposedly going to be the next big thing.

I am 61. Expat. High blood pressure underlying condition. Registered immediately. No indication of when I might get the jab. I have a friend, female, working in the MOH, 37 years old, working in the office… administrative work, not a front line worker. She has received her jab… she is not Kuwaiti, but middle eastern. All facts.

Took my mom to get vaccinated last Thursday and and there was an elderly Lebanese lady with her son in line with us. Got to talkin cuz the line was long af and he was really nice and helpful since I had no idea about the process. He told me that his dad also got vaccinated just a few weeks ago too. Neither one of his parents were doctors nor frontline workers, just an elderly couple living in Kuwait. Ghassan if u see this thanks again for ur help!

I think youre overestimating the British Government, my FIL british 66 years old has only just been told hes getting his first dose at the end of this month and he has a myriad of health conditions.

I don’t think that expats are on the governments list. We are just expats, no need to be vaxinated, maybe we have to pay for it

Best process would be to allow private sector (companies and hospitals) to import the approved vaccines and whoever wants to vaccinate would do that, and pay for it. We would also have the luxury of choosing the vaccine we prefer!

That’s a great idea, at a price of 20 KD every ex-pat can go and vaccinate!!!! so we would not be at their mercy. we could manage our health and stay healthy, as COVID is now transmitted by them.

They have said all residents are eligible for free vaccinations, however I am an expat and I’d be happy to pay for it assuming we were prioritized in the que the same as local nationals.

Only expat who are medical workers are vaccinated. I know by fact that 20+ years of Kuwaiti kids are vaccinated. I had to vomit when I learnt this. We cant fly to our country to get vaccinated but if I stay here than nobody knows when can i get it. I just hope those Kuwaitis who are stranded in Europe wont get priority.

Yeah, I personally know some Kuwaiti kids in their 20s got vaccinated. They are all cancer patients, cancer survivors, or with some blood problems that wouldn’t allow them to take covid treatment if they ever get it.

I read your comment and I’m ready to throw up too. Its sickening the amount of racism towards Kuwaitis in this blog post.

I know folks are a bit upset about who is or isn’t getting vaccinated first, but I think we should all be glad that the vaccinations are picking up steam and that Kuwait is offering the vaccine to all residents regardless of nationality.

I think the question on this blog spot was ”Are Expats Getting Vaccinated?”. My answer was that few are vaccinated and only for propaganda. I understand you have a different opinion but making a paranoid comment about my comment does not help. Secondly none of 20+ kids were sick or had medical history, they were actually gym-fit. I personally will fly back to Europe and get a decent vaccine, not this who knows what license.

Not true
All my friends and family members are healthy and 18-24 years old are getting the Oxford vaccine.
Maybe you’re not aware of it, but since last week young Kuwaitis are getting the vaccine and being prioritized before expats. That’s what’s happening now and we can’t deny it.