With the whole world trying to get their hands on a limited supply of vaccinations, one of the most frequently asked questions is, “how do I get a Covid-19 vaccination privately in the U.K.?” The answer is you can’t. The U.K. government has been unequivocal that private vaccinations will not be available until all the vulnerable categories of people in the U.K. have been inoculated, and supplies are plentiful.
Unsurprisingly, this has led to one company’s move to start offering “vaccination vacations” to an elite group of the super-rich in the U.K. The UAE is one of the world’s leading countries in terms of the number of vaccinations achieved per person. As of 16 January, the government had supplied 18.18 doses per 100 residents of the UAE, according to Our World in Data. The country is offering free Covid-19 vaccinations to all citizens and residents, but has now also started to allow private appointments.
COVID vaccine by country
OUR WORLD IN DATA – ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 3.0 AUSTRALIA (CC BY-SA 3.0 AU)
The U.K. is currently under lockdown, with residents unable to leave their homes except for a limited number of reasons. Holidays of any kind are also forbidden, although you are permitted to leave the country for essential reasons. However, it is allowed to leave your home to receive medical treatment, including vaccinations. As vaccines become more widely available worldwide, this is likely to lead to a boom in tourism for countries that can privately supply the jabs.
The UAE and, in particular, Dubai, has long been a popular winter destination from the U.K. due to its proximity and warm weather. During the pandemic, it has continued to welcome British visitors after its initial shutdown. While currently it is only the super-wealthy being offered the chance to book packages, it is only a matter of time before more affordable options become available.
A package is being offered by Knightsbridge Circle, a £25,000-a-year private members club for those who can afford it. The trip can include first-class or private jet flights, accommodation for up to one month while you wait for your second dose, and a private vaccination. Trips can cost around $55,000 (£40,000). Currently, the options on offer are either Dubai, which now has private appointments for the Pfizer jab, or the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in India, which is being sold at 1,000 rupees (£10) on the private market. The club told The Telegraph it is also discussing using Marrakesh to fly supplies from India to get around Indian visa problems.
Stuart McNeill, Founder of Knightsbridge Circle, said, “I’m delighted that Knightsbridge Circle is the first service in the world to offer the vaccine privately. However, (remaining ethical is paramount. It’s crucial to note that each person who resides in the United Arab Emirates has already been offered the vaccine, and our members below the age of 65 are not able to receive the vaccine through us. My team on the ground are overseeing each appointment to ensure that the client booking the vaccine is the person receiving it. Our members are amazing people, and they have demonstrated this in recent days by accepting that our allocation of the vaccine will go to higher risk members of Knightsbridge Circle.
“For two weeks, we’ve been offering the vaccine to clients who are based in or are currently working in the UAE., and 25% of our clients have used the service so far. Knightsbridge Circle’s clients are based all over the globe, with 40% currently living in the U.K. If it is possible to do so with the travel restrictions, we can arrange a trip to Dubai, where they receive the first shot, we source accommodation for 30 nights and the client then receives their second shot before flying home. The cost of the vaccine is included in the annual membership membership fee of £25,000, which also allows complimentary access to a 24-hour medical concierge.”
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