VIDEO: Long Lines at the Armenia-Iran Border as Many Iranians Come to Armenia for Free COVID-19 Vaccination

Long lines have formed at the Armenia-Iran border, with many Iranians arriving in Armenia for free COVID-19 vaccinations, as videos with such headlines have been actively circulated by Iranian users on the internet for several days. It is unclear how many Iranians have come to Armenia specifically for vaccinations, but the picture becomes apparent as one approaches the vaccination points in Yerevan.

Queues have been forming since morning near the vaccination station located on Northern Avenue, where COVID vaccinations are being administered. Iranian citizens are eager to get vaccinated. The situation occasionally escalates when someone attempts to cut in line. Everyone speaks at once about the same issue: their turn for vaccination is not coming.

Until recently, all tourists could get vaccinated for free in Armenia without restrictions. As of July 9, approximately 3.5% of the population in Armenia has been vaccinated. The Health Ministry does not maintain separate statistics on the percentage of tourists vaccinated, but given the increasing influx, some restrictions have been imposed. One of these stipulates that tourists can only receive vaccinations at mobile stations, and no more than 50 people may be vaccinated daily.

According to another recent decision, foreign citizens can only be vaccinated for free with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Additionally, foreigners will need to have been in Armenia for at least 10 days to qualify for free vaccination. Iranians already in Armenia have expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of vaccinations.