Get 2nd dose of COVID vaccine in the US as a tourist
- By
- Aparna Patel
- |
- 20 Jul, 2023
- |
Well, this is all probably moot for Canadians now, but in case anyone is interested, I can share my experience.
I found a legitimate reason for me to be in the States (I don’t want to share it) and the CBP officer had no issues with that. I took the vaccine in a Dallas CVS.
I got a CDC card with just the 2nd dose written on it and also an online receipt from CVS with the lot number and my details. Upon my return to Canada (post July 5), the physical card was accepted as proof of my vaccination (along with my 1st dose receipt that I received in Canada). I was able to avoid quarantine.
What is more interesting is that I overheard other officers actively encouraging other Canadians to get their 2nd shot in the US, even though the travelers didn’t ask.
I hope people from other countries go and take their vaccines, wherever they can get it.
While this page "does not apply to entry into the United States from Canada via air" it still offers some valuable insight.
Visiting friends would be:
The following categories do not fall within the definition of “essential travel:”
Individuals traveling for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events in the United States.
However:
Who is considered an “essential” traveler
Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States).
Therefore the simplest is to tell the truth: state you are seeking medical treatment not available in Canada. This would be accepted even on a land border. On further enquire, if there is one, I do not see why stating you are there for the vaccine would be a problem. This is always the best tactic with border control: never lie and never offer information unasked for.
This https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/vaccine-tourism-canadians-fly-south-for-shot-as-u-s-demand-falls-1.5416756 article offers stories where people openly went for the vaccine.
- Is the french Télépéage system available for foreigners, and does it make sense to use it?
- What is the difference between the Australian 600 and 601 visas, for people who are eligible for both?
Credit:stackoverflow.com‘