Medical staff wait to vaccinate citizens at a gym in Zagreb, Croatia. Photo: EPA-EFE / ANTONIO BAT

Russians travel to Croatia to get EU-approved vaccines, because at home they can only receive Russian vaccine Sputnik, which the EU and many other countries do not recognize,

In addition, the vaccine in Croatia is free and Russian tourists can choose from the four main types: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and the Johnson & Johnson, which is given as a single dose, so they don’t have to. come back for a second. Pull. In fact, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the most popular among Russians.

After the vaccination, these Croatian “COVID-19 tourists” from afar receive a COVID certificate, which allows them to travel through Europe and many other countries.

The Russian tourist agency Russian Express introduced vaccination “circuits” in Croatia at the end of September, and demand has continued to increase.

Its website presents these tours as attractive offers. The standard package includes air transport to Pula or Zagreb, transfer, health insurance and hotel accommodation, and may include transport to a vaccination point.

The price per person is 440 €. The agency recommends a four-day stay in case of side effects, which it says can be used to take advantage of Croatia’s tourist offers, Croatian news agency HINA reported.

In fact, the demand is growing so fast that the Croatian media List of Večernji reported that flights between Russia and Zagreb are almost fully booked. By the end of November, four Russian airlines will operate six flights per week to Zagreb.

Zoran Carapic, owner of travel agency Atlantis Travel, told BIRN that demand is increasing. “It was never like that. Before there was one flight per week, operated by Aeroflot, with 100 seats, ”he said, adding that the Russians came to Croatia to get the QR code, which allows them to travel in the EU and in other countries. “The average stay is four days and three nights,” added Carapic.

Russian “COVID-19 tourist” said N1 media that her main reason for getting the vaccine is to travel to the EU. “That’s my main reason,” she said. Many tourists also take the opportunity to visit Croatia and enjoy the views.

Briefing Jutarnji list reported that one day so many Russian tourists wanted to be vaccinated that the staff at the Kajzerica vaccination point had to search for Croats who wanted to be vaccinated, as they have priority over foreign visitors.

“When I came to work today, there was a huge line of Russians here. They arrive before the vaccination point even opens, ”Kristina Tomašić, head of the Kajzerica vaccination point, told Jutarnji list.

According to The data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, some 1,279 Russians live in Croatia.

Before Croatia, Russians used to travel to Serbia to get vaccinated. But roles have since turned and the ability to get COVID certificates, along with the single-shot J&J vaccine and flight availability, has put Croatia on the map, even though Russians need a visa to enter. in the country.