I emailed Saga saying "I read with dismay that you are (in my opinion illegally) requiring passengers to have had Covid vaccinations before they can go on one of your cruises.
First, some potential passengers won’t have been offered vaccination, or have medical conditions that preclude them having the vaccination on offer (eg allergies).
Most importantly, this contravenes the Nuremberg Code and the recent reiteration of these principles by the Council of Europe. People who have not been vaccinated, either because of lack of availability, or by choice, or by reason of contraindications, are not to be discriminated against.
Furthermore, the vaccinations being offered at present do not appear to protect against being infected (one is just less likely to have symptoms and be aware of the risk to others) or infecting others. Your policy appears to be designed to increase the average age (and therefore health risks of every condition including Covid) of your passengers. Your younger potential customers are less likely to have been vaccinated and are, in general, far lower health risks in all respects.
If you are worried about Covid, are you going to prohibit passengers over a given BMI, all diabetics and people with a history of respiratory disease?
Have you considered that this policy might be disability discrimination?
Having been under virtual house arrest for over 10 months I had been looking forward to travelling when conditions permit. I had my eye on a couple of your cruises. I am very disappointed by your policy and you now are unlikely to get any custom from me.
I do understand the importance of infection control and am sympathetic to the idea that you test people before boarding, or even ask people to self-isolate at home for a few days before the trip (something that I would be willing to do as an alternative to vaccination). I do not think that vaccination is the only way to reduce infection risks. In fact I think that people who have been vaccinated are likely to indulge in more risky behaviour and more social mixing than those of us who haven’t (once restrictions are eased). Are those of us with allergies that mean we should not have the vaccination never to be able to go on holiday again?
Saga's reply: "Thank you for your email regarding our recent announcement.
With the start of the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, we have once more reviewed our health and safety procedures to ensure we are providing the safest possible holiday experience.
I am sorry to note your concern and would like to assure you that we have made this decision having spoken with our guests, the majority of whom fall into the governments at risk age group. The health and safety of our guests is of the utmost importance to us and we will continue to review and update our protocols as needed to ensure this."
My response: "Thank you for your reply. Do you really think that your guests are the best qualified and capable people to make informed medical and legal decisions of this kind? This is an emotional populist decision affected by months of government propaganda, not a rational one based on risk, and legal rights. You are proposing to operate an illegal and a discriminatory practice. Have you consulted your lawyers?
Popular is not always sensible or right.
So a healthy person who has a penicillin allergy but is not on any medication is barred, by virtue of this vaccine being contra-indicated, but anyone vaccinated, however ineffectively (protection of the vaccine reduces with age) and whatever their state of health, is allowed on your cruises. I am sorry that I find this illogical.
Contradicts nothing. Its a private company. They can stipulate whatever terms they want.
And given they ONLY accept high risk people the insurance companies may well be demanding they do something like this.
....and yes, some companies and insurance companies DO deny service to people with certain diseases.
It wont be long before travel insurance companies wont cover you unless you've had a jab.
