Andina

Minsa: Peru will only buy vaccines that meet international standards

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

12:05 | Lima, Aug. 14.

Deputy Health Minister Luis Suarez on Friday affirmed that Peru will only buy vaccines which have met rigorous international standards so as to protect people against the COVID-19 infection and not endanger them.

"The Ministry of Health is making arrangements to acquire the vaccine through the COVAX Facility, a coalition which includes the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as one of the mechanisms for purchasing the vaccine and which already have confidentiality agreements with four or five international laboratories for the acquisition by direct purchase," he said in remarks to TV Peru.

Before using any drug or vaccine, it must go through a series of research and control phases to guarantee that these products are —in addition to being effective— safe in the population, he indicated.

That implies, he said, ensuring that they do not have significant adverse effects, which is why they must be tested many times, using a scientific methodology, the results of which are then shared internationally.

The Russian vaccine

Regarding the announced Russian vaccine, the Deputy Health Minister commented that so far no scientific report has been published on how it has been evaluated, nor have any studies been shared that demonstrate its effectiveness or effects.

"The Russian vaccine is not supervised by international regulatory agencies, such as the FDA of the United States or the Epa of the European Union; in this case, they (vaccines) are self-regulated by the Russian agency. So far no scientific report has been published on how it has been evaluated," he commented.

Suarez asked the population and authorities, especially regional ones, to remain calm and be sure that the Peruvian State is doing everything necessary to access a significant amount of vaccines as soon as possible, but all of them must be widely certified and safe.

"In order to use a vaccine in the country, it must be first licensed and approved by health authorities; otherwise, the population could be put at risk," he added.

(END) KGR/RRC/MVB

Published: 8/14/2020