Andina

Peruvian President: First batch of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine arrives this Wednesday

ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia

ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia

13:18 | Lima, Mar. 2.

The President of the Republic Francisco Sagasti on Tuesday announced that the first batch of 50,000 coronavirus vaccines from the pharmaceutical company Pfizer will arrive in Peru tomorrow.

The Head of State specified that the cargo transported by KLM's flight 743 will land in Lima at 7:05 p.m. (local time), adding that the South American country will continue to receive similar amounts of vaccines throughout the week.

"It means that the vaccination process starts now not only with one, but with two different vaccines," said the top official, who stressed that the Government has guaranteed 48 million doses until the end of 2021, in a context where there is a huge demand.

Within this framework, the statesman specified that the batch of Pfizer vaccines —which will arrive tomorrow— is the outcome of direct government purchases. He added that the COVAX Facility mechanism doses are pending.

Moreover, the Peruvian leader mentioned that laboratories —at the moment— prioritize the States. In the case of Russia's vaccine, the Peruvian Government negotiates directly with the laboratory Gamaleya through the Russian Direct Investment Fund and not via agents.

In this regard, Mr. Sagasti specified that —before the importation of any medical product, including any vaccine— this product must be formally registered in the country, which is not the case of Gamaleya yet.

Regarding the meeting with National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (Confiep) Chairwoman Maria Isabel Leon, the President said the support of the private sector in the logistics of the vaccination process was addressed.

"The conversation was about the fact that there were many ways to collaborate in the vaccination effort that the Government has been undertaking, and the most it (the private sector) can help is in logistics, distribution, and administration of the vaccine. There we see the space for its support," he indicated.


(END) RMCH/CVC/MVB

Published: 3/2/2021