Unlike rich countries with unlimited resources to buy vaccine as fast as the rich pharmaceuticals can make them, our government is buying about 200,000 shots at a time with the following priority list of who gets their shot when through public clinics.
Costa Rica’s Vaccine Priority List:
First group: Staff and residents at retirement or nursing homes.First responders, including health personnel.
Second group: Costa Rica’s older population, defined here as those ages 58 and up. According to the Presidency, this group will be required to demonstrate residency with a cédula or DIMEX.
Third group: People from 18-58 with risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory illness, kidney disease and obesity, among others.
Fourth group: Teachers and other staff within the Education Ministry (MEP) or private schools. Imprisoned people and judicial staff. Workers for the 911 service.
Fifth group: Health science students and related technicians in clinical fields. People ages 40-57 without any of the aforementioned risk factors but whose work puts them in contact with others. Then, all remaining adults.
Costa Rica is currently vaccinating Groups 1 and 2 in the above list. Vaccines are free through the Social Security System and are not available for private purchase,
~Tico Times
For full article on vaccines here, go to Tico Times.
As an 80-year-old legal resident, I’ve had my first shot and scheduled for the second shot this coming Thursday if I can balance with a radiation treatment and the Ophthalmologist removing stitches from my eyelid the same day. (when it rains it pours!) 🙂
And for those planning to visit Costa Rica, here’s the updated Covid Requirements for April 2021. Also in Tico Times.
¡Pura Vida!