The Brazilian COVID-19 variant is predominant in Peru, thus causing concern. It entered the country through the rainforest region of Loreto and then spread to other cities in northern Peru,
Health Minister Oscar Ugarte said on Sunday.
Noting that the Brazilian variant has caused 40% of cases in Lima and a larger proportion of cases in other regions, Ugarte affirmed that
National Health Institute (INS) experts are considering the possibility that new strains may emerge.
"We are contemplating the possibility that other strains may emerge. This has not been confirmed so far. We are ready because prevention is what we want," he remarked.
Earlier on Sunday, the government official confirmed that the vaccination of people aged 70 to 79 will begin next Friday, April 30, in Lima and Callao, and will then take place in regions.
On the matter, he said that
Health Ministry (Minsa) authorities held a meeting with regional governors on April 18 to set the schedule for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to the country's interior regions so as to comply with the national vaccination plan.
"We have reached an agreement on the implementation of the national vaccination plan in regions, on the understanding that everyone will get the vaccine," the minister pointed out.
"The essential thing is that all regions will be provided with a number of vaccines and that the implementation of the vaccination schedule will be secured," he added.
On the other hand, Ugarte remarked that the final report on the clinical trials for China's Sinopharm vaccine will be completed by the end of this month.
(END) LIT/RMB
Published: 4/25/2021