COVID-19 vaccines to begin for those aged 40 – 49 in June

Mexico’s vaccination program has progressed well after vaccinating over 15 million seniors (aged 60 and over), and adults aged 50 – 59, since February 2021. According to the Reuters COVID-19 tracker, this equates to approximately 35,168,248 doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far, which means about 13.8% of the country’s population has been vaccinated.

As it stands, Mexico should be able to meet its target of giving the population at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose by October 2021, as stated by Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This article by Pacific Prime Latin America gives the low down of what to expect in the coming months and what you can do to best prepare for your first jab before winter arrives.

Vaccinating Mexico’s population aged 40 – 49

“More vaccination centers will be set up and additional vaccination brigades will be deployed to further speed up the process.” – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

Initially, the plan was to begin vaccinating people aged 40 – 49 in July but due to the accelerated pace of the COVID-19 vaccination program, this has now been brought forward to June. More so, with the arrival of locally-produced AstraZeneca vaccines in the country, the boost in available doses will help kickstart the vaccination program for those aged 40 – 49. Expats living in Mexico City can expect the COVID-19 vaccine sooner than previously expected.

If you haven’t done so already, you can now register for vaccination against COVID-19 through the government’s online registration platform. See the steps below to get started.

How to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination program in Mexico

The government’s online registration platform is now open for local residents and expats in the 40 – 49 age bracket. Below are the steps to follow to complete your registration:

Enter the web page: https://mivacuna.salud.gob.mx/. If you cannot access it, contact your local healthcare representative for alternative options.
Enter your Mexican National ID number or Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP). (Note: Unsure of what your CURP is? Chances are you are a local resident or expat, which means you will definitely have a temporary or permanent resident card, and therefore already have a CURP. If you cannot remember, check the link below to see if your CURP is already available online: www.gob.mx/curp.)
After entering your ID, you will need to verify that your personal data is correct. Ensure that your contact details are correct too, in case officials need to contact you for reasons relating to the vaccination. If your details do not match, press “Return” and confirm the CURP data that you have entered in step 2.
If you find that your details are correct and up-to-date, select the option/tab that reads “Quiero vacunarme” (I want to get vaccinated.)
The next step requires you to select the municipality where you are currently living. (Note: It does not matter if your current address does not match your identification, the key thing is to know where you are currently based in order to register at the nearest vaccination center.)
From here, add the zip code (C.P.) if you know it.
Enter your phone number (or that of your next of kin) and make sure it is one where you can be contacted right away.
Within the field, “Contact notes”, you can add further details such as the time you prefer to be called or if the contact number belongs to a next of kin or friend, etc.
From there, click “Enviar”. (Note: If you don’t get a response, don’t start over! Just click “Enviar” every 15 minutes or so. There have been reports that it takes a while to process the confirmation, as registrants are all doing so at the same time.)
Once successful, click “Save” and your registration is complete.
After your registration is complete, wait for a call from the representative of the vaccination program. Once a representative does get through to you, they will provide you with a date and place to get vaccinated. Now you are set and ready! (Note: Do not be fooled if someone calls and requests money or your bank details. Fraud is rife at the moment given the current pace of the vaccination program.)

What to expect on the day of your appointment

To ensure you get vaccinated on time and without delay, arrive at your vaccination center roughly 30 minutes in advance.

Note: There will certainly be a lot of people around, so try to maintain social distance and wear a protective facemask at all times, as well as carry a hand sanitizer to clean your hands.

Have your ID on hand when officials ask for verification. Once verified, you will be shown to the waiting area.

When your time to get vaccinated arrives, one of the center’s health personnel will give you the first jab, after which you will be directed to the observation area for 30 minutes.

Once the 30-minute period is over, you can leave the vaccination center and head home to rest. You will be informed of your next approximate vaccine date for the 2nd dose (depending on the vaccine given). If not, ask the health official who the best contact is so that you can make preparations for the next time you return.

Note: Different venues may have different procedures in place and arrangements can change at a moment’s notice.

Tips to follow before heading to your vaccination venue

See some of Pacific Prime Latin America’s tips below:

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water (approx. 8 glasses) and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Drinking water will keep your body hydrated and your immune system functioning at its most optimum.

Get plenty of sleep

Make sure to get plenty of rest the night before (a minimum of 7-9 hours is recommended). You will feel less stressed and aware of your actions for the day.

Get a medical consultation

Consult with your local doctor about your pre-existing conditions and the risk each type of vaccine poses. If you have a history of allergic reactions, make sure your local doctor and vaccination center are aware of it. Do your research and base your decisions on the facts and details available.

Refer to official sources only to avoid confusion. If you are diagnosed with cancer or any other chronic health condition, then you are encouraged to seek medical advice. Additionally, prepare for all eventualities and bring with you any medication and prescriptions you are currently on to show to the health personnel at the vaccination center.

Prepare a vaccine-friendly outfit

You will likely be seated in an open arrangement with dozens if not hundreds of people around you at any point during your vaccination. Therefore, you are encouraged to wear clothing that is loose and can be taken off without exposing too much of your dignity. For ladies, avoid wearing skirts, and for both men and women wear a short sleeve top that can be rolled up easily.

Think about a post-vaccine self-care plan

Knowing that you could develop a fever or have mild symptoms after receiving your first dose (or even second dose), it’s imperative to plan and prepare in advance. Let your family and friends know of your appointment and inform your workplace that you may have to take a sick leave to rest up. Prepare your space at home to rest and keep the place well ventilated. Ask your local doctor or pharmacist about the most suitable medication to subdue any pain and whether you should continue taking your regular medication straight after. You may also want to consider securing health insurance to cover any health-related costs that may arise after vaccination.

Secure health insurance with Pacific Prime Latin America

At Pacific Prime Latin America, we put our clients at the center of all our insurance decision-making processes and search for appropriate health insurance plans to resolve concerns, meet ongoing needs, and provide added value, as well as peace of mind.

Are you an expat living in Mexico? Want to learn more about health insurance? You can discover the latest trends along with topics like the cost of international health insurance by visiting our insurance guides section. Don’t forget to visit our blog page, where you can find a range of trending health insurance topics for individuals, families, and retirees like mental health, travel insurance, healthcare, business matters, and more. Here are some to check out:

Contact our team of insurance advisors and get a personalized plan comparison today!

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Jimmy

Content Creator at Pacific Prime Latin America

Jimmy is a content writer who helps simplify insurance for readers interested in international private medical insurance. He is on a mission in Thailand to support locals, expatriates, and businesses by bring the latest news and updates to his Pacific Prime blog articles.

His expert view and wealth of knowledge on insurance can also be found in his blogs for China, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

COVID-19 vaccines to begin for those aged 40 – 49 in June

Vaccinating Mexico’s population aged 40 – 49

How to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination program in Mexico

What to expect on the day of your appointment