A/76/257
by Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Peru, which have started
regularization processes. 64
Health responses and vaccination plans
67. A number of Governments have indicated that migrants, including undocumented
migrants, enjoy the same access to health care as their national population. Argentina,
Chile and Morocco indicated that access to health services is provi ded to all
foreigners, regardless of their immigration status. 65 El Salvador provides free-ofcharge health services for all, including prevention, treatment and testing for the
detection of COVID-19. 66
68. In Switzerland, emergency assistance, including basic medical care, is provided
to all people in a situation of distress, regardless of their residence status. In Germany,
asylum seekers are entitled to a range of health services during the first 15 months of
their stay. In Sri Lanka, asylum seekers can receive health care free of charge if they
are registered with UNHCR. In Croatia, health care is provided to asylum seekers. 67
The Philippines established a migrants health unit to deal with all health matte rs
related to migrants and returning migrants. 68
69. In some States, authorities have prepared policies and protocols to better
respond to public health and security requirements imposed by the pandemic,
including in settings affected by overcrowding and u nhygienic conditions. Given the
scarcity and limitation of resources, many countries have established prioritization
criteria for access to testing, treatment and vaccine taking into consideration the
specific vulnerabilities and risks experienced by migrants (e.g. asylum seekers in
crowded reception centres, migrant women in vulnerable situations, children,
undocumented migrants, etc.).
70. Singapore has administered vaccines to the 320,000 migrant workers residing
in State dormitories. Switzerland has provided free and voluntary vaccination to all
migrants, regardless of migration status, with priority given to asylum seekers in
common dormitories. In Romania, asylum seekers and migrants in detention have
been included in its vaccination strategy. 69 The Maldives started free vaccination to
all migrants, including undocumented migrants. 70 Germany has included persons
without legal residence as a priority group in national vaccination strategies. 71
Australia, Azerbaijan, Chile, Israel Malaysia, Morocco and Qatar indicated that
migrants, including those in irregular situation, have been entitled to receiving
vaccines, as well as tests and treatments. 72 Uruguay, with the support of civil society,
has raised awareness on migrants’ access to vaccination. 73 In several countries of the
European Union, authorities have waived formal requirements. 74 At the time of
writing the present report, several countries were still defining their vaccination
strategy plans in line with their contexts, capacities and the evolution of the virus.
__________________
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
21-10577
Submission by States; see also www.unhcr.org/en-us/excom/excomrep/432fcbb42/update-unhcrsoperations-americas-executive-committee-2005.html; www.migrationportal.org/insight/
regularization-initiatives-venezuelan-migrants-dominican-republic-curacao-step-towards-inclusion/.
Submissions by States.
Submission by El Salvador.
Submissions by States.
Submission by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines.
Submissions by States.
Submission by Migrant Workers Maldives.
Submission by Germany.
Submissions by States.
Submission by Uruguay.
See www.oecd.org/migration/mig/00-eu-emn-covid19-umbrella-inform-en.pdf.
15/22