Andina

Peru's President: Vaccination against COVID-19 to begin in February

Photo: ANDINA/Ministry of Health of Peru

Photo: ANDINA/Ministry of Health of Peru

00:30 | Lima, Jan. 27.

The President of the Republic Francisco Sagasti announced that vaccination against COVID-19 will begin in February and assured that the Government undertakes efforts so that Sinopharm vaccines arrive in Peru soon.

"Since I took office, we have worked hard to obtain the vaccine and distribute it properly," he said in a televised Address to the Nation on Tuesday night.

The Head of State emphasized that his administration has worked 24/7 so that this first batch —consisting of one million doses— arrives on the announced date "and we are confident that this shipment, which is ready to be transferred, will land in Lima in the next few days."

The top official confirmed that the first contract for 1 million vaccines to be delivered is in order, adding that two contracts for the provision of 500,000 plus 1.5 million doses in February and March, respectively, have been sent to Sinopharm.

Private sector support

Afterwards, the statesman thanked the generous contribution of Peru's private sector for the transfer of the first batch of vaccines by hiring an international logistics company to bring the doses to the South American country safely and quickly.


He also argued that this team includes officials from the Ministries of Health, Economy, the Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud), regional governments, the Armed Forces, the National Police of Peru, as well as private organizations (companies and guilds), civil society groups, and the Comptroller General's Office.

Vaccination kit ready

Later, President Sagasti pointed out that there is already an operational vaccination plan in charge of the Health Ministry. It will see the participation of EsSalud, the Armed Forces, and the National Police of Peru.

This plan will be supervised by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with the collaboration of participants from the private sector.

"I will lend the shoulder to show you that the vaccine is the only alternative we have to defeat COVID-19. I am a man of science, I believe in the advances of mankind, and I will be one of the first (citizens) to be vaccinated," he emphasized.

(END) JCB/VVS/MVB

Published: 1/27/2021