Andina

Peru's Health Min: Citizens must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to reach herd immunity

10:40 | Lima, Jan. 13.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) aims to guarantee universal and equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as make vaccination voluntary and free of charge, Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti has affirmed.

During her presentation at the Annual Conference of Executives (CADE-Executives), the minister noted that this year will be difficult for Peruvians, but vaccination will help gradually stop transmission, in such a way that citizens will experience better living conditions next year.

"Vaccination is the best cost-benefit strategy to reduce or eliminate diseases," said Mazzetti, adding that all citizens must contribute to achieving herd immunity.

The government official believes that uncertainty surrounding an emergency vaccination is reasonable but insisted that Minsa has acquired vaccines that have been proven safe and effective.

"Information is important to make good decisions. Therefore, Minsa will disseminate positive and negative information transparently," she stated.

The high-ranking official urged entrepreneurs throughout the country to join forces in order to create better health conditions for the entire population.

The pandemic is an opportunity that requires a permanent commitment to transform health conditions, as well as to achieve equity, access, and well-being. 

"We should do this together," the health sector's head emphasized.

For his part, Carlos Neuhaus, head of the Commission to Support the Vaccination Process against COVID-19 of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, called on the private sector to maintain the support it has been providing to combat the pandemic.

(END) NDP/LIT/RMB/MVB

Published: 1/13/2021