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Peru's President: Vaccination is first step to defeat COVID-19 pandemic

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic

19:43 | Lima, Feb. 9

The President of the Republic Francisco Sagasti on Tuesday affirmed that —thanks to the start of the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare personnel— Peru is taking the first step on the long road to defeat the pandemic nationwide.

From the Lima-based Central Military Hospital, the Head of State provided an assessment of the beginning of vaccination in regions that are at risk due to the presence of the novel coronavirus.

The top official indicated that the goal is for all Peruvians to be vaccinated in the current year of the nation's Independence Bicentennial.

"The vaccination (process) that we have started today is only a first step in the long road that we are traveling, not only us but all nations around the world, to defeat this insidious enemy which is the pandemic caused by COVID-19," he expressed.

Likewise, the statesman affirmed that —thanks to the vaccination of health personnel— the first phase of the National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19 begins aimed at all those "who take care of us," thus fulfilling the commitment assumed by his administration.

In this sense, the President specified that —as today at 5:00 p.m.— 3,449 health staff members in 40 hospitals had been vaccinated, following the distribution of 141,367 doses to 56 hospitals in Lima and Callao.

In addition, Mr. Sagasti assured that —supported by the Armed Forces and the private sector— the distribution began and reached different parts of the national territory, where vaccination will begin this Wednesday.

Later, the Head of State highlighted the importance of vaccines given that they have been used to prevent all kinds of diseases and saved millions of lives worldwide for 200 years.

"Do not be afraid of the vaccine; it is the best shield against communicable diseases such as COVID-19. Moreover, never in the history of mankind have we seen such a great effort made by scientists from all over the world collaborating and competing. Therefore, they got the vaccine rigorously in a very short," he concluded.

Afterwards, Mr. Sagasti was vaccinated by health personnel at the Central Military Hospital.

With 300,000 vaccine doses purchased from China's Sinopharm laboratory that arrived last Sunday, health personnel linked to intensive care units, laboratories, and hospitalization services will be immunized during the first phase of the ongoing vaccination process.

El presidente @FSagasti recibe la primera dosis de la vacuna contra la COVID-19.#PongoElHombro #NoBajemosLaGuardia pic.twitter.com/slM2RY4CEp
— Presidencia del Perú ???? (@presidenciaperu) February 10, 2021

Hoy he puesto el hombro por el Perú para reafirmar que las vacunas son sanas, seguras y salvan vidas. Las vacunas son el mejor escudo. Me vacuno con esperanza y con confianza. La mejor manera de agradecer a nuestro personal de salud es cuidando a quienes nos cuidan.#PongoElHombro pic.twitter.com/dz0XRs7zhe
— Francisco Sagasti (@FSagasti) February 10, 2021