Travel agencies in Russia have begun offering vaccine tours abroad so that they can be vaccinated with vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of the Association of Travel Agencies of Russia (ATOR), informed the Interfax-Tourism portal about this. According to her, the delay in the recognition of Russian vaccines forces them to seek the opportunity to be vaccinated outside Russia, the most popular countries for vaccination are Serbia and Germany.

"In return, travel agencies are ready to help tourists travel abroad for a WHO-recognized vaccine. "Serbia and Germany are among the most popular countries for vaccine travel," Ms Lomidze said.

She noted that there is a demand for such tours. "Russian travel agencies offer vaccine vouchers for three days," the ATOR chief said. According to her, the cost of a tour without a flight starts from 21 thousand rubles, with a flight - from 50 thousand rubles.

Maja Lomidze said vaccine trips to Serbia are in high demand. The country vaccinates foreign nationals free of charge with Pfizer, BioNTech, Astra Zeneca or Sinopharm. Maja Lomidze also named vaccination prices in Germany. So, vaccination Pfizer / Biontech in Munich - 580 euros, or 50 thousand rubles, one dose (two vaccines are needed). Vaccination of Johnson & Johnson in Baden-Baden - 870 euros, or 75 thousand rubles. (one vaccination required). The Executive Director of ATOR pointed out that foreign nationals can not independently register for vaccination or arrive at the place of vaccination.

Earlier, the WHO suspended the approval of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V. The process is interrupted pending a new inspection at the manufacturer's factory. In mid-June, a WHO expert group identified violations during the production of Sputnik V in Ufa at Pharmarsstandard-UfaVITA. The allegations were related to environmental protection and emissions monitoring. The experts did not comment on other companies.

Source: Kommersant