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The American Expat Financial News Journal (August 1, 2021)

State Dept. reiterates U.S. policy not 'to distribute Covid vaccines to Americans overseas'

State Dept. reiterates U.S. policy not 'to distribute Covid vaccines to Americans overseas'

"The U.S. State Department has reiterated that the U.S. 'currently does not have plans to distribute Covid-19 vaccines to Americans overseas,' according to the American Citizens Abroad, which has been calling on the government to provide vaccines directly to American expats struggling to get them in certain countries in which such vaccines are in critically short supply.

According to ACA, the State Department said in a statement that while the U.S. 'does not provide direct medical care to private U.S. citizens abroad, we are committed to providing consular assistance to U.S. citizens in need overseas, including providing information on local medical resources when appropriate.'

ACA revealed the State Department's position on the matter in a news release on Friday (July 30). It said the State Department's comments came in response to questions put to it by ACA on the matter.  

'Each U.S. embassy and consulate's website posts information on local Covid-19 vaccine availability and eligibility requirements in-country,' the State Department's statement, which may be viewed on the ACA's website by clicking here, continued.

'We recommend that U.S. citizens overseas who want to receive a Covid-19 vaccine check the website of their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.'

'U.S. citizens who plan to return to the United States to get vaccinated may visit Vaccines.gov for information on vaccine eligibility and appointment availability here at home.'

'If there are any changes to the Administration's policy, the Department will provide immediate updates via our Covid-19 information pages on travel.state.gov, and U.S. embassy and consulate websites, in addition to our other established methods of communication with U.S. citizens.'

ACA said it plans to continue advocating 'on the vaccine issue,' working with the offices of U.S. senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and  and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)  'on their bi-partisan outreach to the U.S. State Department.'"

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