Peru's PM: Gov't in intense negotiations to acquire COVID-19 vaccine

"Regarding the vaccines, we are actually in intense negotiations. Even though we have no date, I would say we are close to being able to sign some of the contracts that we could not complete before," she said in remarks to RPP radio and TV station. 

The Cabinet chief recalled that Peru was not able to reach said agreements because November was a very critical month for the negotiations, as it was a period of great instability and changes in the Government's management. 

Likewise, she explained that the first half of next year provides a more realistic scenario, as a "reasonable horizon" to start the vaccination process.

"I cannot say (it will occur) in the first or sixth month, but we have outlined a horizon for the first stage of the vaccination process, considering the international scenario and the progress of the negotiations conducted for the procurement of the vaccines," Bermudez added.

On the other hand, she noted that it is not accurate to say that a second wave of COVID-19 has already hit the country, according to explanations provided by experts at the Ministry of Health (Minsa), who monitor figures at national level.

"Precautions are being taken because we have identified diverse behaviors depending on the area of the country. For example, in the north —in Piura— we see worrying figures, but most of the cases are reported in rural areas, which were directly admitted to ICU owing to the remoteness of the city," she stated.

The government official explained that the national average, with respect to the presence of COVID-19 in Peru, has seen a sustained —non-drastic— downward trend.

(END) JCC/CVC/RMB/MVB