Vaccine tourism alive and well at SFO
According to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a clear trend has emerged as more and more of those seeking vaccines at the airport are foreign travelers. In the past week alone, over 30,000 doses were administered.
Currently, 80% of new vaccine appointments at SFO are with non-US citizens, and over 1,000 doses have already been administered to visitors from 58 countries around the world
These “vaccine tourists” are the fastest-growing category of visitors to the SFO Medical Clinic, where the free Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine is administered.
"This trend truly represents a win-win situation for all," said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. "It ensures that vaccines doses do not go unused by making them available to those who may have trouble accessing it in their home country. It also stimulates travel and visitor spending for the Bay Area, and – most importantly – it helps protect against community spread of the virus. My thanks go out to the entire team for making this program a reality."
SFO began to offer vaccines onsite in February, partnering with the County of San Mateo to provide vaccines to health care workers and County residents over age 65.
The airport then launched a vaccination clinic within the terminal in early May, offering doses to airport workers, local residents and travelers.
Since late May, the SFO Medical Clinic, located pre-security in the International Terminal, has been offering free single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines on an appointment basis. For more information, please visit:
flysfo.com/travel-well/vaccination-site-sfo.
