Vaccines in Latin America: countries have already been notified by COVAX

No one should let their guard down, warns deputy director of OPS 1:19

(CNN) -

Latin American and Caribbean countries have already been notified of their first allocations of the covid-19 vaccine through COVAX, a coalition led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to ensure equitable access, according to a press release issued Sunday from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Through letters sent to health authorities, some 36 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have been informed about their estimated dose allocation for the first phase of delivery of the vaccine, according to the PAHO statement.

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The AstraZeneca vaccine will be supplied first, although the WHO is still reviewing it for emergency approval.

That approval is expected in a few days, according to PAHO.

"With more than 45 million confirmed cases and more than one million deaths, the countries and territories of the Americas, particularly the poorest, are experiencing an unprecedented health, economic and social crisis," said the PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne.

"The start of delivery of the vaccine through the COVAX mechanism is an encouraging step in the fight against this virus and PAHO is proud to facilitate an effort that is urgently needed for our region."

Vaccine delivery schedule

It is estimated that around 35.3 million doses will reach the region in this first stage.

They should arrive at their destination from the second half of February until the second quarter of 2021. The vaccine dose figures are subject to production capacity and supply agreements, in addition to the approval of emergency use, according to the statement from the OPS.

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• Panama reports that it could receive a second batch of vaccines in two weeks

Before the delivery of the vaccine, the countries in the region participating in COVAX are now beginning preparations to receive and apply the vaccines, according to PAHO.

Additional doses for Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador and Peru

In addition, an independent committee selected four Latin American countries participating in COVAX, based on criteria of pandemic risk, impact, and mortality rates in recent weeks, to receive a limited number of doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine above your assigned quota.

Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador and Peru will receive a total of 377,910 doses of the vaccine from Pfizer that are expected to arrive in mid-February, subject to supply agreements.

Coronavirus vaccine