Peru has inked an additional contract for 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the Sinopharm laboratory, which are likely to arrive next week,
Health Minister Oscar Ugarte has announced.
"We have already signed an additional contract for 500,000 (Sinopharm) doses, which may be arriving next week. Not only has the contract been signed, but it has also been paid; therefore, 500,000 doses are expected, and more doses could come," he stressed.
The minister emphasized that the
World Health Organization (WHO) has validated the quality of the Sinopharm jab. Thus, Peru has enough information to grant the corresponding health registration to said vaccine.
On May 7, the WHO granted emergency approval for the COVID-19 vaccine made by the Chinese state-owned company.
This is the sixth vaccine to receive approval from the global health body, after the latter validated the safety, efficacy, and quality of this jab.
The WHO's strategic advisory group of experts on immunization reviewed the scientific information submitted by the Chinese producer and recommended its approval, to the WHO director-general, in order to have a new tool to fight the pandemic.
This approval will allow the COVAX platform —which was set up to try to ensure fair access to vaccines among rich and poor nations— to enter into negotiations with Sinopharm to purchase its vaccines and distribute them to countries with little access to them.
The government official remarked that the Government has signed important contracts with various laboratories around the world to get COVID-19 vaccines, and that there are enough doses to immunize all adults in Peru.
(END) LIT/RMB
Published: 5/10/2021