Peru received the first batch of vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm on Sunday, as the South American country prepares for mass vaccination campaigns against COVID-19.
Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti greeted the vaccines at Jorge Chavez International Airport, 11 km northwest of downtown Lima, accompanied by Prime Minister Violeta Bermudez, Minister of Health Pilar Mazzetti, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Elizabeth Astete.
“We will start (the vaccinations) with the intensive care units, the emergency units, the surgical centers, and those who directly support us, that is to say, all those who are on the front line of defense against the effects of the pandemic, ”the president said.
During his speech, Mr. Sagasti thanked the Chinese government, “which throughout these negotiations has demonstrated its goodwill”, as well as Sinopharm.
The vaccines will be transferred to the headquarters of the National Center for the Supply of Strategic Health Resources in Lima.
The distribution of vaccines to 13 hospitals and health institutes will begin on Monday, according to the coordinator of the COVID-19 vaccination team of the Ministry of Health, Nancy Olivares.
As of Sunday, Peru reported 1,186,698 cases of COVID-19 with 42,308 deaths, according to the health ministry.