When asked if the new
COVID-19 variant would make the vaccine developed in different countries lose efficacy,
Peruvian Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti recalled that the mutation is not significant enough so as to require a new vaccine.
Within this framework, the high-ranking official said that viruses constantly mutate.
"We must be prepared in case a new mutation occurs in the following years, which substantially changes its composition and requires the development of a new vaccine," she warned.
Referring to the agreements with different laboratories, the Cabinet member indicated that Peru has —to date— 12 preliminary agreements to access the vaccine, but at the same time it has two binding agreements with
COVAX Facility and
Pfizer, as well as a definitive agreement with the
COVAX Facility coalition.
She added that —between September and October 2020— the Executive Branch made the deposit for this coalition, which ensures that Peru receives doses for 20% of its inhabitants.
(END) RRC/MVB
Published: 1/5/2021