Coronavirus: Some Mexicans seek out new vaccinations as US border restrictions relax

The rules specify that beginning on Monday only foreigners who have received World Health Organization-approved vaccines can cross, which effectively bars those who received jabs including China’s CanSino Biologics and Russia’s Sputnik V, among others.

“I’m thinking about (flying) to Los Angeles to get a vaccine that will then let me cross,” said Jose Gonzalez, a teacher who is a resident of the Mexican border city of Tijuana. Gonzalez, a Mexican national, noted that he was first vaccinated with the CanSino shot only because he had no other choice.

“Now I regret that,” he said, explaining that his work requires him to frequently cross into the United States.

More than 15 Mexicans said they were looking to get revaccinated, not with booster shots, but rather to simply comply with the new entry rule, which requires would-be border crossers to show proof of their vaccine status and will be enforced with random checks.

The vaccine rule marks the latest obstacle faced by Mexican border residents, many of whom for years have crossed for jobs or classes, including many from families with mixed immigration status or even duel nationalities.