Andina

Peru: Immunization of health workers continues in Lima

Photo: ANDINA/EsSalud

Photo: ANDINA/EsSalud

11:29 | Lima, Mar. 3.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) today continues with the administration of the second dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 to healthcare personnel on the frontline at hospitals located in Lima.

After 21 days, this second dose is given to doctors, nurses, nursing technicians, and the rest of the healthcare team who provide services in Intensive Care Units (ICU) and COVID-19 Emergency Rooms.

This second dose is being administered to health personnel of the National Maternal-Perinatal Institute, the National Children's Health Institute (INSN), and Arzobispo Loayza Hospital.

This way, Minsa guarantees protection against the coronavirus (with a two-dose regimen), following the arrival of the first one million vaccines from the Chinese laboratory Sinopharm on February 7 and 13.

The administration of the second dose began on March 2 with the immunization of health personnel from Hipolito Unanue, Dos de Mayo, and the INSN hospitals.

At Hipolito Unanue Hospital in El Agustino district, approximately 400 people per day are projected to be inoculated to meet the goal of 3,423 immunized workers —including doctors, nurses, and technicians.

As for the Breña district-based INSN, 450 health workers per day will be vaccinated until March 17.

Breña INSN Director Alberto Romero reported that the objective is to immunize the 3,220 workers at this hospital, including cleaning and security personnel.

Thus, he requested all health personnel to be vaccinated against COVID-19, emphasizing that it is a safe antidote which will allow a better care of hospitalized patients.


National Vaccination Plan

According to the official National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19, the first citizens who will receive the vaccine (Phase I) are those who provide services from the health sector, including personnel of: the armed forces, police, firefighters, Red Cross, security services, municipal police, brigade members, cleaning personnel, as well as health students and polling station members for the general elections of April 11.

Deputy Public Health Minister Percy Minaya confirmed that people over 60 will be included in the first phase of vaccination against COVID-19, as well as those who suffer from more than one comorbidity.

Meanwhile, Phase II aims to reduce severe morbidity and mortality in the population at greatest risk, such as: people with comorbidity, members of native or indigenous communities, National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) personnel, and inmates. 
 
Finally, Phase III is expected to reduce the transmission of the infection within the community and generate herd immunity. During this stage, people aged between 18 and 59 will be vaccinated.

(END) LIT/MVB

Published: 3/3/2021