PAHO/WHO Representative in Peru Ruben Mayorga estimates that the South American country will have to make a first payment of around US$20 million —within the first half of September— to purchase the COVID-19 vaccine.
In remarks to Canal N on Sunday, Mayorga explained that the payment would be made to the COVAX Facility, a coalition that includes the
World Health Organization (WHO), which follows the mechanisms for purchasing the vaccine and already has confidentiality agreements with four or five international laboratories for the acquisition by direct purchase.
"The COVAX Facility is capitalizing and asking countries to submit an expression of interest. 40 territories in the Americas region have already expressed their interest," he stated.
"There are a lot of details that we need to pay attention to," he added.
The PAHO/WHO representative explained that what the COVAX Facility is asking for is a payment of 15% of the cost of the vaccine doses.
"Estimates suggest a cost per dose of US$10.55 and, if the vaccine requires two doses, a total cost of US$21 per person," he added.
(END) JAM/VVS/RMB/MVB
Published: 8/17/2020