March 28, 2024

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Guatemala receives 2 million vaccines donated by the US, while Health has no history of receiving pending doses of Sputnik V - Prensa Libre

Guatemala receives 2 million vaccines donated by the US, while Health has no history of receiving pending doses of Sputnik V – Prensa Libre

As of December 11, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) reported the application of 10 million 502 thousand 979 vaccines, according to data from the portfolio.

According to the ministry’s figures, 4 million 294 thousand and 281 people already have a full vaccination plan. However, Guatemala ranks last in Central America on the issue of coronavirus immunization, according to the Our World in Data platform, which updates the report with official data from each country.

The national vaccination scheme began last February, but Dr Alejandro Giamatti’s government has had problems procuring the vaccines.

The CEO chose the Sputnik V vaccines, but the exact date when the remaining vaccines will reach the country is still unknown, there are only communications confirming that Russia will comply with delivery before the end of the year.

Currently, data shows that more than 50% of the vaccines applied in Guatemala were thanks to donations from the US government, which on Saturday donated another two million vaccines, this time from the Moderna brand.

William Pope, the US ambassador to Guatemala, said the health policy that the US is implementing is contemplating global cooperation.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has been very clear in saying that the only way to defeat the virus is to defeat the virus everywhere. The United States of America has made significant progress toward our goal. To date, we have provided more than 157 million doses of vaccines to 110 countries. And in Guatemala, with this fourth donation, our support has added 8.5 million vaccines.”

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US Ambassador William Pope participated in the event to present the two million vaccines donated by his country to Guatemala. (Free press photo: Esbin García)

Far from herd immunity

For their part, the MSPAS authorities have detailed that the vaccines will be applied to complete the vaccination schedule in adolescents and the application of booster doses, as detailed by Francisco Coma, the Minister of Health.

“They will allow us to complete the vaccination schedule for adolescents from 12 to 17 years old, but the most important thing is the opportunity to vaccinate front-line workers and people with comorbidities over the age of 60, as well as patients 12 years and older.”

Coma noted that Guatemala is far from achieving herd immunity, which is why she called on residents waiting to be vaccinated to do so.

“It’s time to take advantage of the availability of vaccines, we need a long way to go with the total number of people we need to vaccinate to achieve herd immunity, so do not be afraid,” he concluded.