Where to go for vaccine tourism?
- Thread starter Shlomo
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Armenia
Last night I came to Yerevan with a PCR test taken within 72 hours to avoid quarantine. I got an Armenian SIM card at the airport and took a Yandex taxi to my hotel.
Today I went to the NCDC ambulance in Northern Avenue pedestrian precinct, waited around for a while and got the jab. I provided my foreign passport, Armenian phone number and hotel name and room number. I choose AstraZeneca because it looks likely to support travel to Western countries. After the jab there is a ten minute wait time so that if you get an allergic reaction the ambulance can take︀ you to hospital. Afterwards I walked 30 seconds to the Astghik Medical Center ambulance and︁ paid $29 for a new PCR for re-entry to Georgia, to be collected the next︂ day.
I have read that Dalma Garden Mall and Megamall also give vaccines to foreigners︃ (hospitals and polyclinics don't seem to).
The Georgian border guard needed some discussion but ended︄ up stamping me out normally despite my 11 month overstay (this might be harder after︅ June 30).
The Armenian nurses were great, but almost everyone taking the jab was Iranian.︆ Let's just say that queueing manners were less than Scandinavian. If you're pushy you'd probably︇ have waited 20 minutes rather than my 2 hours.
Yerevan is really nice and at︈ over 500 AMD to USD it's great value for hotels, food, etc. I look forward︉ to coming back in 10 weeks. I think I'll make it a longer vacation and︊ tour the country.
Last night I came to Yerevan with a PCR test taken within 72 hours to avoid quarantine. I got an Armenian SIM card at the airport and took a Yandex taxi to my hotel.
Today I went to the NCDC ambulance in Northern Avenue pedestrian precinct, waited around for a while and got the jab. I provided my foreign passport, Armenian phone number and hotel name and room number. I choose AstraZeneca because it looks likely to support travel to Western countries. After the jab there is a ten minute wait time so that if you get an allergic reaction the ambulance can take︀ you to hospital. Afterwards I walked 30 seconds to the Astghik Medical Center ambulance and︁ paid $29 for a new PCR for re-entry to Georgia, to be collected the next︂ day.
I have read that Dalma Garden Mall and Megamall also give vaccines to foreigners︃ (hospitals and polyclinics don't seem to).
The Georgian border guard needed some discussion but ended︄ up stamping me out normally despite my 11 month overstay (this might be harder after︅ June 30).
The Armenian nurses were great, but almost everyone taking the jab was Iranian.︆ Let's just say that queueing manners were less than Scandinavian. If you're pushy you'd probably︇ have waited 20 minutes rather than my 2 hours.
Yerevan is really nice and at︈ over 500 AMD to USD it's great value for hotels, food, etc. I look forward︉ to coming back in 10 weeks. I think I'll make it a longer vacation and︊ tour the country.
That's interesting. I will look into that.
Did you have to pre-register before going to NCDC? Are vaccination centres like Dalma Garden Mall and Megamall privately run? Do they offer the vaccine only for a limited time?
I guess Marshrutkas are up and running. Was there a specific reason why you took the plane for this relatively short hop?
Did you have to pre-register before going to NCDC? Are vaccination centres like Dalma Garden Mall and Megamall privately run? Do they offer the vaccine only for a limited time?
I guess Marshrutkas are up and running. Was there a specific reason why you took the plane for this relatively short hop?
Just took a quick look into the fares TBS-EVN. I am absolutely puzzled: No matter when, the nonstop flight operated by "Aircompany Armenia" (marketed by Georgian Airways) is quoted with USD 424.- (round trip). That is a 30-minute hop. These fares seem to be surreal at best damn_🙂mad:
@khinkali
Did you find a cheaper way to purchase the tickets? Any tip for discounted local tickets??
@khinkali
Did you find a cheaper way to purchase the tickets? Any tip for discounted local tickets??
@Bagpacker no pre-registration, you just turn up hence the disorderly queue. I don't know who runs the other mobile vaccinations but I guess it's the same. I didn't read anything about an end to the service; I doubt they have planned far ahead as the situation with local takeup, excess vaccine and desire for tourists is likely to vary.
I've always felt that TBS->YVN is expensive compared to local wages. More so now because they only offer flexible fares.
The trains are meant to restart in a week or so but I gladly paid the $420+ USD flight as it seemed the least virus-ridden transport method. It was also $000s cheaper and much more convenient than a month in USA︀ or Russia. If I'd just wanted a passport stamp I'd have hired a car and︁ driven to Sadakhlo.
I've always felt that TBS->YVN is expensive compared to local wages. More so now because they only offer flexible fares.
The trains are meant to restart in a week or so but I gladly paid the $420+ USD flight as it seemed the least virus-ridden transport method. It was also $000s cheaper and much more convenient than a month in USA︀ or Russia. If I'd just wanted a passport stamp I'd have hired a car and︁ driven to Sadakhlo.
I went to Ortachala bus terminal today. They already provide a daily Marshrutka to Yerervan but they also told me that the Ford Transit (GEL 30.-) rarely fills up. If all agree they then switch to the smaller Mercedes for GEL 40.- ns2 .
That with the nighttrain is correct. I asked at Central Railway Station and they confirmed 15-June-2021. Ticket sale will start on Friday.
For your next trip the train might be the way to go because you can book an entire compartment for yourself (ask for "spalny"= 2-bed compartments, 1. Class). What you have to avoid is "kupé" (= 4 plastic covered bunks in︀ a small compartment, 2. Class) and "platskartny" (wooden bunks along the corridor, 3. Class).
I did that trip a few years ago and even though the train is very︁ slow, renting an entire compartment and bringing some food + wine makes it a comfortable︂ journey in "spalny".
That with the nighttrain is correct. I asked at Central Railway Station and they confirmed 15-June-2021. Ticket sale will start on Friday.
For your next trip the train might be the way to go because you can book an entire compartment for yourself (ask for "spalny"= 2-bed compartments, 1. Class). What you have to avoid is "kupé" (= 4 plastic covered bunks in︀ a small compartment, 2. Class) and "platskartny" (wooden bunks along the corridor, 3. Class).
I did that trip a few years ago and even though the train is very︁ slow, renting an entire compartment and bringing some food + wine makes it a comfortable︂ journey in "spalny".
@khinkali
Two more questions:
Two more questions:
- Did you enter Armenia just with the paper-based PCR test result from the Georgian laboratory or did you register with ARMED (Armenian medical mobile app Changes in the procedure of the entry to the Republic of Armenia ) before crossing the border?
- Does Armenia require foreigners to electronically fill in a "border crossing entry form" before entering the country (= like Georgia does here Protocol for Arrivals in Georgia , or Turkey with its HES code)?
@Bagpacker I'd like to do the train some time, but I would have just spend a few $00 to take the 30 minute flight, at least for the first shot. TBS was empty, the flight was quite empty. No worries about sharing a toilet or whatever.
I just had the paper PCR printout from Evex. It has no stamp, no letterhead, no signature. I didn't do the ARMED thing, it looks optional but I'd have done it if I'd known about it.
I have the border crossing thing for Georgia, but I am not aware of any for Armenia. I got travel insurance from GPI.︀
I just had the paper PCR printout from Evex. It has no stamp, no letterhead, no signature. I didn't do the ARMED thing, it looks optional but I'd have done it if I'd known about it.
I have the border crossing thing for Georgia, but I am not aware of any for Armenia. I got travel insurance from GPI.︀
Breaking news. Just as we suspected, past COVID-19 antibodies protect you as much as any vaccine does.
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/study-vaccinations-pandemic-covid/2021/06/08/id/1024390/
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/study-vaccinations-pandemic-covid/2021/06/08/id/1024390/
Yes, absolutely. I read that Alexei Navalny received a shot of Novichok nerve agent upon arrival.
yes indeed. A sad state of affairs with an overreach as maybe never? seen before.
There are also shots which are not gene therapies and based on traditional methods. Maybe that is also worth a consideration when︀ doing vaccine tourism.
There are also shots which are not gene therapies and based on traditional methods. Maybe that is also worth a consideration when︀ doing vaccine tourism.
@khinkali
I just returned from Yerevan. Other things aside, I took the jab in Northern Ave. . Worked fine.
Just a word of warning regarding the second jab: Do go exactly by the date written on your vaccination card! The nurse told me that all this is a promotion and of all participants about 96% are Iranians, 3% other foreigners and only 1% are Armenians. So, the program can be stopped anytime and the government might change rules and will insist on the date written on the vaccination card.
I took the train in both directions which was great. Price for 1. Class (spalny) is GEL 150.65 (one-way; the way back from Yerevan to Tbilisi can only be booked in︀ Yerevan), payable in cash at the ticket counter of Tbilisi Central Station. It is a︁ good idea to do the reservation a few days in advance. The train now consists︂ of brand new Russia-build carriages with excellent air-conditioning and good bedding. Every compartment is equipped︃ with sockets which means it is possible to run/load a laptop. The ride is very︄ smooth and comfortable, the bathrooms are clean and they even gave out some bottled water︅ and instant coffee for free.
The train stops on both sides of the border for︆ about 30 minutes. At the Georgian border station the Georgians collect all passports to check︇ and stamp them in their police office. After that they again jump on the train︈ and "try" to return the correct passport. Well, it is a Georgian organisation which means︉ it does not work as smooth and precise as a Swiss clockwork (they showed me︊ a selection of passports and I had to pick mine bor&%# ).
Then the train moves︋ on to the Armenian border post. The Armenians are better equipped. They do have mobile︌ passport checkers which enable them to scan and stamp all passports onboard the train. A︍ couple of nurses also enter the train in order to check PCR tests and scan︎ the temperature of every passenger.
Neither on the Georgian nor on the Armenian side of️ the border did I have to leave the train or my compartment. The border guards and nurses will always come to the passengers' compartment/seat.
That's it and afterwards nobody disturbs. It is easily possible to get at least 6 hours of undisturbed sleep on the train. If one want to enjoy the beautiful view towards Mount Ararat it is worth getting up about one hour before arrival (the train enters Yerevan station at 07:35AM).
Go Green - Take the Train. hap¤#"
I just returned from Yerevan. Other things aside, I took the jab in Northern Ave. . Worked fine.
Just a word of warning regarding the second jab: Do go exactly by the date written on your vaccination card! The nurse told me that all this is a promotion and of all participants about 96% are Iranians, 3% other foreigners and only 1% are Armenians. So, the program can be stopped anytime and the government might change rules and will insist on the date written on the vaccination card.
I took the train in both directions which was great. Price for 1. Class (spalny) is GEL 150.65 (one-way; the way back from Yerevan to Tbilisi can only be booked in︀ Yerevan), payable in cash at the ticket counter of Tbilisi Central Station. It is a︁ good idea to do the reservation a few days in advance. The train now consists︂ of brand new Russia-build carriages with excellent air-conditioning and good bedding. Every compartment is equipped︃ with sockets which means it is possible to run/load a laptop. The ride is very︄ smooth and comfortable, the bathrooms are clean and they even gave out some bottled water︅ and instant coffee for free.
The train stops on both sides of the border for︆ about 30 minutes. At the Georgian border station the Georgians collect all passports to check︇ and stamp them in their police office. After that they again jump on the train︈ and "try" to return the correct passport. Well, it is a Georgian organisation which means︉ it does not work as smooth and precise as a Swiss clockwork (they showed me︊ a selection of passports and I had to pick mine bor&%# ).
Then the train moves︋ on to the Armenian border post. The Armenians are better equipped. They do have mobile︌ passport checkers which enable them to scan and stamp all passports onboard the train. A︍ couple of nurses also enter the train in order to check PCR tests and scan︎ the temperature of every passenger.
Neither on the Georgian nor on the Armenian side of️ the border did I have to leave the train or my compartment. The border guards and nurses will always come to the passengers' compartment/seat.
That's it and afterwards nobody disturbs. It is easily possible to get at least 6 hours of undisturbed sleep on the train. If one want to enjoy the beautiful view towards Mount Ararat it is worth getting up about one hour before arrival (the train enters Yerevan station at 07:35AM).
Go Green - Take the Train. hap¤#"
Several off-topic posts deleted. Keep to the topic or risk warnings/bans.
This thread is about where to go for vaccine, presumably for those who are interested in doing so. It is not about the risks associated with COVID-19 vaccinations. If you would like to discuss that, please start a separate thread. We encourage the discussions, and only ask that posts remain on topic for the relevant thread.
This thread is about where to go for vaccine, presumably for those who are interested in doing so. It is not about the risks associated with COVID-19 vaccinations. If you would like to discuss that, please start a separate thread. We encourage the discussions, and only ask that posts remain on topic for the relevant thread.
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