To date, Peru has administered more than 8 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine nationwide,
Health Minister Oscar Ugarte has reported.
"8 million doses of the available vaccines (against COVID-19) have been applied and, therefore, contributing and thinking about our children is part of the Government's (vaccination) strategy of immunizing the entire population before the end of the year," Ugarte emphasized.
Remarks were made as he received four oxygen generating plants donated to Peru through the Pan American and Parapan American Games Special Legacy Project. The event took place on Monday morning in the country's main port city of Callao.
The minister confirmed that Minsa has included minors aged between 12 and 17 in its National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19, adding that the vaccination of this age group is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of the year.
"We are now able to include them in the vaccination schedule. According to the vaccination plan by age groups, the vaccination of this important population of young people aged 12-17 will take place in the fourth quarter of this year," he noted.
People with comorbidities —belonging to this age group— who need urgent protection against the virus will be given priority, and the corresponding protocol is being developed to do so.
Children aged 5-12
The health sector's head reported that Pfizer is testing its vaccine against COVID-19 in children aged between 5 and 12.
He went on to say that said laboratory expects data from 5- to 12-year-olds starting September this year.
(END) LIT/RMB
Published: 7/5/2021