COVID-19 Vaccination and Undocumented Migrants

Dear Editor,

Vaccination to undocumented migrants is now a great concern. According to the United Nations (UN), migrants carried out more than 40% of the global volume of transfers through unofficial channels. ¹ Estimates in 2016 put the number of unauthorized immigrants at 10.7 million, representing 3.3% of the total US population. From January 2017 to March 2018, 25 645 people crossed the border into Canada illegally. ² Meanwhile, in Malaysia, approximately 1 million undocumented migrants are currently living. Moreover, a huge number of undocumented migrants are currently living in Australia, Middle East, and other economically stable countries. Therefore, to stop COVID-19, without covering the vaccination to this huge number of undocumented migrants, the world cannot escape from COVID-19.

To date, few countries showed concern about the vaccination to these populations, while no country provided vaccine to undocumented migrants yet. However, these populations are afraid to come forward for vaccination due to deportation and arrest. US President Biden stated that they wanted to make sure that all undocumented immigrants are able to be vaccinated and so they are protected from COVID, without the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or anyone else interfering. ³ Meanwhile, the City of Toronto, Canada, says undocumented residents should not be concerned about jeopardizing themselves during the COVID-19 vaccination process. ⁴ Furthermore, the UK government wants everyone to get vaccinated and is urging illegal immigrants to register with a general practitioner. ⁵ In addition, the Malaysian Government says that they will provide free vaccines to illegal migrants and not arrest undocumented migrants during the mass COVID-19 vaccination program. ⁶

Despite the assurance and statement from the Governments, undocumented migrants are still in confusion and fair. During COVID-19 lockdown and pandemic, many undocumented migrants were arrested after the government statement not to arrest them in some countries. In Malaysia, hundreds of undocumented migrants were arrested during the COVID pandemic. ⁷

Vaccine and public health-related issues were also highlighted in a questionnaire-based research paper. ⁸ Moreover, few articles in different newspapers highlighted the opinion of some undocumented migrants regarding COVID-19 vaccination. According to some Bangladeshi undocumented migrant workers residing in Malaysia, they were skeptical about the Government’s promise and believed police would arrest them whenever they found any undocumented migrants. ⁹ In addition, some US migrants believed that IDs prove, for example, driving licenses, Social Security numbers, and health insurance cards, as a barrier for vaccination programs. ¹⁰ Likewise, undocumented migrants from Australia are also facing similar issues for vaccination. Therefore, vaccination among those people is still a challenge and critical public health concerned to them.

Overall, undocumented migrants face challenges in taking the COVID vaccine, which is a very alarming issue. Therefore, the government needs to create a complete trust to break their fair. In addition, concerned authorities must take appropriate steps immediately so that those undocumented immigrants access the vaccine without fear and hesitation.