Dear Editor:

No vaccine for U.S. citizens in SMA?

According to a message from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City concerning the COVID-19 vaccine dated Dec. 17, 2020 by Joey Merrifield, printed in Civil List San Miguel (a portion of which is reprinted):

“The U.S. Department of State has no greater responsibility than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. The Department continues to proactively communicate travel advice and warnings to U.S. citizens amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of our efforts to give U.S. citizens timely information so that they can make informed choices about travel abroad, the Department advises that the United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas should follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.”

According to a report in the “Mexico News Daily” Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has stated that the COVID-19 vaccine they have is for Mexicans. 

Is this correct? If so, what can we do? I tried to send a post to the Civil List, but it was rejected. No reason was provided. Isn’t this a potentially life-threatening situation for the 10,000 plus 

expats living here? Shouldn’t we be better informed so we can make arrangements? The long and tedious notice from the U.S. Embassy apparently went unread as it disappeared the very next day without comments submitted. When I tried to contact our U.S. Consulate, my messages were ignored; I assume because of the holidays. Still, they must be aware. Why the lack of effort for its own United States citizens living abroad?

Thank you and Feliz Navidad

Ms. Dale and Andrew Brous 

We have our Residencia Permanente, live here full time, and love SMA