Peru relies on national plan against possible second COVID-19 wave

Photo: ANDINA/Ministry of Health of Peru

12:10 | Lima, Nov. 28.

Peru already has a national plan to face a possible second wave of the novel coronavirus and is prepared to offer better healthcare services to citizens, Deputy Public Health Minister Luis Suarez affirmed.

Within this framework, Suarez explained that the plan consists of eight objectives linked to the organization of the healthcare system, supported by epidemiological surveillance, which is ongoing with zero prevalence studies, as well as the use of molecular and antigenic tests in order to become more sensitive in the surveillance process.

He also considered engaging in communication with the population, strengthening the biosafety measures for health sector workers, and providing support to regional governments so that each regional Health Directorate relies on the best possible organization to face the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccine procurement process

Moreover, Deputy Public Health Minister Suarez assured that the Ministry of Health (Minsa) will use vaccines which are safe and as effective as possible.

In this sense, the government official stressed that one of the priority objectives is the procurement of safe and effective vaccines, after recalling that laboratories have not yet completed Phase 3 clinical trials, which determine how effective a vaccine is.

"In Peru, we will use the safest and most effective vaccine possible, as a principle," he said, adding that it will be usable once the laboratory has completed the study —which proves its safety and efficacy— and the product is approved by an international regulatory body.

In this case, it may be the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Only under these conditions can a vaccine be used, knowing that it is effective and safe for the population," he noted.

Peru has contact with 20 laboratories around the world, with which it has signed non-binding agreements. Yet, some of them are protected by a confidentiality clause.

This type of agreement allows countries to be informed about the progress of research, prices, distribution mechanisms, or cold chain requirements.

"These are agreements that do not commit us to the laboratories, and Peru has signed this type of agreement with 12 laboratories," he concluded.

(END) SMS/JOT/MVB

Published: 11/28/2020

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Peru relies on national plan against possible second COVID-19 wave

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