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Peru's President: Vaccines are main shield against COVID-19

Photo: ANDINA/Ministry of Health

16:21 | Lima, Apr. 8.

The President of the Republic Francisco Sagasti has emphasized that the vaccine is the main shield against the coronavirus pandemic.

"At this moment, we have already signed and committed 48 million doses that are enough to vaccinate 24 million Peruvians over 18 years of age. These doses will arrive before the end of this year," Mr. Sagasti expressed.

"We are also continuing to negotiate, with at least four or five more laboratories, to increase the number of doses. We hope to conclude some contracts shortly. These negotiations are extremely tough and difficult," he noted.

In this sense, the Head of State recalled that "we have had to negotiate very hard and very strong to ensure that —before the end of the year— all Peruvians over 18 years of age are vaccinated and to leave an additional stock of vaccines if necessary; that is why we continue in these negotiations with suppliers."

Likewise, the top official stated that his administration is "in the process of completing the vaccination of those who are on the frontline of defense, which includes medical personnel who serve at hospitals and health centers, as well as police, armed forces, and firefighters."

Besides, "we have already started the vaccination of the most vulnerable: the elderly. When we found that they were not included in the original vaccination plan, what we did was incorporate them for a key reason: 70% of fatalities (due to COVID-19) correspond to older adults."

"Now, in the next stage, with the Health Minister (Oscar Ugarte) and the entire Cabinet, we are reorienting the vaccination process in order to move from this first line of defense and to those who are the most vulnerable, whom we will finish vaccinating at the end of this month, or in the middle of next month," Mr. Sagasti explained.

"We will move to a new scheme, we are redesigning the vaccination plan that will soon be, fundamentally, territorial, aiming at those places which have more problems and that need direct support, always trying to achieve equitable access for all people who have to be vaccinated and need to be protected," he specified.

(END) NDP/MVB

Published: 4/8/2021

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