The Pacific island nation of Palau is offering the BioNTech COVID vaccine to Taiwanese tourists until the end of October. Taiwan has already received a limited supply of BioNTech vaccine doses, but these are mostly earmarked for senior citizens and minors aged 12-17.
Currently, just under half of the population in Taiwan has received at least one vaccine dose. Less than 5% are fully vaccinated. This is due to a shortage of vaccine doses in the country. But Palau offers a chance for the still unvaccinated to get a COVID shot and a vacation, all in one.
With the COVID-19 outbreak that hit Taiwan in mid-May now under control, Taiwan and Palau have decided to reopen a COVID travel bubble, allowing Taiwanese visitors to travel to Palau with only limited COVID protocol.
This travel opportunity is open to group tours and individual travelers. The price is too steep for many: several tour packages cost up to NT$70,000 (US$2,500) per person. Still, for those who can't wait to be vaccinated, Palau offers a chance to get a COVID shot amid beautiful, tropical surroundings.
The travel agency KKday announced that four- and five-day travel packages for Palau are still available, with departures starting from the beginning of October. KKday also says that it has sent almost 500 travelers to Palau since the original travel bubble was launched in April.