Andina

Peru's Health Ministry: Sinopharm vaccine purchase process proceeding as planned

Photo: ANDINA.

Photo: ANDINA.

11:00 | Lima, Jan. 11.

The process of procuring the COVID-19 vaccine from the Chinese laboratory Sinopharm is underway to ensure that the first one million doses reach Peru in January, Deputy Public Health Minister Luis Suarez has affirmed.

Suarez pointed out that both the required regulatory framework and the payment process are proceeding as planned. 

"We are on schedule," the deputy minister expressed.

Peru has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, and the first shipment of one million doses is slated to be sent this month.

Regarding the evolution of the pandemic, the high-ranking official noted that there is great concern over the increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalized patients, and the occupation of ICU beds.

For this reason, he affirmed that the Government is considering implementing new general recommendations that will affect the behavior of the population.
 
Minsa and the regional governments have been preparing for a second wave and have implemented a plan —drawn up previously— which seeks to avoid contagion and use early treatment with medical oxygen.
 
In this sense, Suarez ruled out a shortage of oxygen at health facilities, including at primary care ones.

(END) NDP/LIT/RMB/MVB

Published: 1/11/2021