Press release date: 11th February 2021
Tropical Medical Bureau (TMB), Ireland’s largest travel medicine group, has noticed a new trend in people requesting PCR tests, prior to them travelling back to their home countries to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
For example, this week TMB conducted PCR tests on Russian and British citizens who were preparing to travel back to their home countries to avail of their vaccination programmes. Both Russia and the UK started vaccinating last year and have already vaccinated a high percentage of their population – above the EU average. This week, the UK reached the milestone of 13 million people vaccinated. Ireland has vaccinated 250,000+ people.
Also noteworthy is that many destinations have updated their entry measures for travellers and are now accepting an authorised COVID-19 vaccination in place of a PCR. This growing list includes destinations such as Estonia, Cyprus, Greece, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Phuket (Thailand), Poland (Citizens), Romania and The Seychelles.
Greece and Israel announced last week that that they have agreed to recognise each other’s ‘vaccine passports’. This deal will allow those who have been vaccinated to move freely between the two countries with no need for negative PCR results or quarantine.
In addition, a number of cruise lines have announced that passengers will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they are allowed to board in order in ensure the safety of all guests and staff onboard. This includes England-based Saga Cruises and US-based river American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines.
This development comes as the conversation around ‘vaccine passports’ continues to evolve, with Qantas, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad announcing that they are set to trail the IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ app. The app allows travellers to receive their COVID-19 test results and verify that they are approved to take their journey by displaying an ‘Ok to Travel’ message.
ENDS
Interview opportunities: Please note, TMB staff are available for interview. Contact Niamh Waters to arrange – niamh@travelmedia.ie or +353 86 049 2394.
About Tropical Medical Bureau Group
The Tropical Medical Bureau Group (encompassing Nomad Travel in the UK) is the leading travel medicine clinic group in Ireland, specialists in providing the best information and medical care available for the international traveller. Collectively, the TMB Group sees approximately 60,000 patients on an annual basis, ranging from the private holiday maker to employees of commercial companies, and overseas volunteers to NGO’s and Government departments, all of whom benefit from the expertise of our highly experienced clinic staff.
Since it was founded in 1988, TMB has undergone major growth and expansion to currently encompass 30 clinics, 20 clinics in Ireland (four base clinics and 16 associate clinics). In 2016, TMB acquired Nomad Travel Clinics in the UK. Nomad Travel Clinics has 25 years’ experience in travel health, pharmacy & retail, throughout 10 clinics across the UK.
What distinguishes TMB is our vast experience and expertise, as well as our superb patient aftercare. All our patients have a detailed consultation with one of our specialised healthcare staff. This covers everything from food and water risks, mosquito avoidance, malaria and thrombosis, as well as risks associated from altitude exposure, and also Zika and COVID-19 risks, which may be associated with your trip. Following a detailed consultation, we then decide on which travel vaccines and malaria tablets are appropriate. Our specialised travel medicine software is constantly being updated with travel news, so if anything is happening in your destination that you need to be aware of, we’ll make sure you are.
For more travel health tips and advice call your local TMB clinic and book in to speak with one of our qualified professionals.
To book an appointment for vaccinations and see a list of our base and associate clinics, please contact Tropical Medical Bureau on 00-353-1-2715-200 or visit www.tmb.ie.
TravelMedia.ie
Niamh Waters
Senior Account Manager
niamh@travelmedia.ie
+353 86 049 2394