Peru: FA Min leads efforts to guarantee access to COVID-19 vaccine

13:15 | Lima, Jul. 25.

Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Mario Lopez on Saturday affirmed that his sector is leading the efforts —at all levels— to guarantee access to the highly-expected vaccine against coronavirus —a purpose that constitutes a national objective.

"The Government is clear that we want to ensure the highest number of doses for the time the vaccine becomes available. It is currently in the testing stage; once the vaccine is available, be sure that the Government will make the efforts to ensure the highest number (of doses) for the population," he expressed.

In order to do so, the high-ranking official said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry leads actions in three main spheres: the bilateral ones, through conversations with governments; direct negotiations with laboratories; and multilateral negotiations supported by agreements among international organizations.

The Cabinet member indicated that conversations are underway, with a view to reaching agreements to place Peru in the vaccine project.

The diplomat commented that there are currently more than 100 vaccine projects, of which connections with the 10 —that register the most progress— have been prioritized.

In the multilateral sphere, he specified that mechanisms and agreements have been generated with international organizations and foundations that would allow access to the vaccine, too.

In statements to the RPP, the minister also affirmed that the Government at this stage has received privileged international cooperation aimed at combating the coronavirus pandemic, including the aspects related to supplies and support teams, through technical missions.

The international cooperation in non-reimbursable technical aid has so far reached US$88 million. It consisted of donations of supplies, equipment, and specialized and financial technical aid, which complemented the efforts undertaken by the Government, he highlighted.

(END) FHG/MVB

Published: 7/25/2020

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Peru: FA Min leads efforts to guarantee access to COVID-19 vaccine

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