The
Ministry of Health (Minsa) already has the adapted monovalent vaccine that will make it possible to continue protecting the most vulnerable people against the different variants of COVID-19, the sector's head
Cesar Vasquez reported.
In total, 800,000 doses are intended for adult population, while the remaining 500,000 are pediatric doses.
Moreover, just like the bivalent one, the monovalent vaccine covers the latest strains and sub-lineages circulating in the country.
According to the government official, these doses are intended to strictly protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly, chronically ill people, people with immunosuppression or diseases that weaken the body's defense system, and pediatric patients in vulnerable conditions.
"These doses will be distributed nationwide according to the distribution table prepared and reached by the Immunization Directorate and will be made available at health facilities in the coming days," Peña affirmed.
"As stipulated by Minister Cesar Vasquez, work has been carried out to update the technical standard on COVID-19 vaccination to be clear about the scheme towards its implementation," he added.
The deputy minister also emphasized that the bivalent vaccine is part of the scheme and, under the criteria of the
World Health Organization (WHO) and regulatory entities around the world, it continues to be a cost-effective strategy and protects against severe forms of the disease and death.
"The new technical standard indicates that the adapted monovalent vaccine is reserved for vulnerable populations whose diseases compromise their health status and put them at risk of COVID-19 infection, while the bivalent vaccine continues to be part of the protection for the rest of the population," he said.
(END) NDP/LIT/RMB/MVB
Published: 1/16/2024