How will foreigners have access to vaccines in Latvia?

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How will foreigners living in Latvia be able to receive their vaccine? Will they have to pay? Vaccination Bureau representative Ieva Stūre answered questions sent in to Latvian Radio by foreigners in Latvia.

I am not a citizen of Latvia, but I live in Latvia and I have a residence permit. Can I get a vaccine? Will I have to pay for that?

State-funded vaccination against Covid-19 is available to people entitled to state-funded health services in Latvia:

  • Citizens of Latvia;
  • Non-citizens of Latvia;
  • Third-country nationals who have a permanent residence permit in Latvia and stateless persons whose status has been granted in the Republic of Latvia;
  • Refugees or persons who have been granted alternative status;
  • Detained persons;
  • Asylum seekers;
  • Persons who are socially insured for health insurance in accordance with the Law On State Social Insurance and  employed in Latvia.

Therefore, a foreigner who has the right to State-funded healthcare services is also entitled to receive the vaccine in accordance with the procedures specified in the vaccination plan.

People who reside here with a permit are entitled to a free vaccine. The order is the same as with Latvian citizens - a person is in the same queue as everyone else. If a person falls into a priority group - has one of the specified chronic diseases, is a senior or a representative of a profession listed in priority groups, such as a teacher - they will be included in that priority group.

When registering on manavakcina.lv, the person should indicate the priority group they belong to, if any. Manavakcina.lv will be available in English in the near future. 

I have health insurance but I am not in the Latvian e-health system. I agree to pay for the vaccine. How do I do that? Does the insurer pay?

To receive the vaccine, one does not have to be part of any insurance program. Everyone who can receive the vaccine are entitled to get it for free. Currently there is not even an option that anyone would have to pay. 

If you have a question about Covid-19 and vaccination, Latvian Radio together with experts answers those every workday morning on "Labrīt" program. You may send your question to [email protected] or a voicemail to 27834559 (WhatsApp).

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