Peru will have preferred access to COVID-19 vaccines following clinical trials

This comes in response to the South American nation's contribution to the clinical trials that will be conducted to test vaccines' efficacy.

The expert indicated that joining such risk —which implies developing a vaccine against COVID-19— puts Peru ahead of other countries on the list of nations expecting to obtain it. If successful, it will be beneficial for the population most at risk.

Concerning the Peruvian eastern region of Loreto —which for the fourth consecutive day registered no COVID-19-related deaths— he said it is very likely that herd immunity has been reached in the area.

"Based on the information we handle, it could be said that they have reached this stage," he expressed.

The expert recalled that the rainforest region had initially registered a very high number of infected and deceased people, with a rapid increase in the curve, as well as a rapid decline.

"That is evidence, which suggests that they may have overcome the pandemic. This decline could correspond to the fact that the population started to take better care of itself. However, that does not seem to be the case based on the conversations held with the people there, since life has followed its course and people's behavior remains the same, so there is another reason for the decline in the number of (daily) cases," he said.

The expert revealed that an antibody prevalence study was conducted afterwards, and it was found that 71% of the people living in the region's capital, Iquitos, already had antibodies against the virus.

"That makes me think that herd immunity was reached there, but of course, that 29% who have not yet been infected, could become infected and die. So, if I lived in Iquitos, I would continue taking care of myself until the vaccine comes out," he expressed.

Carcamo said that —between the end of June and the beginning of July— a prevalence study carried out in Lima found out that 25% of its population was infected, that means, 3 out of 4 were still susceptible to contagion.

This could change, and probably 40% of people are immune. Yet, in the same way, there is a large percentage of the population that is still susceptible to the disease, he concluded.