An Indian travel agency is offering travel deals to the US that suggest clients will be among the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
India is one of the worst-hit countries with 134,699 COVID-related deaths and almost 10 million infections, according to the latest statistics from the John’s Hopkins University.
Adverts from a travel agency in the Indian city of Mumbai offering a four-day stay in the US have been widely circulated on social media.
The travel package appears to include a new Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination at a total cost of INR 174,999 (GBP 1,773).
One advert reads: “Be among the first to get Corona vaccine. As soon as Pfizer vaccine is officially published to sell in America (tentative date 11th December) v r ready to get it done for select FEW VVIP clients.”
The offer includes travel between Mumbai and New York and a three-night stay with breakfast and “one vaccine dose”.
Transport to the hotel is not included and travellers are advised that bookings will be taken on a “first come first serve basis”.
Gem Tours & Travels said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “We are not holding or procuring any vaccines. Everything we arrange will be within US laws.
“Right now, we cannot commit to any timeframes. We are not collecting any advance payments or deposits.”
The travel agency said that they only require interested parties to register their details with them at this stage.
They added that the widely-shared online ads were largely misunderstood.
Gem Tours & Travels offers travel to around 45 countries after it was founded in 1983. It currently has offices in Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Gujarat according to its website.
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Story By: James King, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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