President Piñera marks the first anniversary of the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine process in Chile
Over 16.5 million people have been fully vaccinated to date, and 10.2 million have received their booster shot, placing Chile at the forefront of inoculation throughout the world.
President Sebastián Piñera marked the anniversary of the launch of COVID-19 vaccine process in Chile on Thursday at a ceremony held in the Colina Vaccination Clinic.
“Our administration took all of the steps necessary to ensure that Chileans would have timely access to a safe and effective vaccine very early on, and we also worked to ensure that the program would be free and voluntary,” the President said. He was accompanied by Health Minister Enrique Paris, Public Health Undersecretary María Teresa Valenzuela, Health Networks Undersecretary Alberto Dougnac, and healthcare workers.
The first 9,750 doses from Pfizer-BioNTech reached Chile on December 24, 2020, and were administered to Intensive Care Unit staff in La Araucanía, Biobío, Magallanes and one third of the Metropolitan Region. Those were the regions that presented the highest rates of infection at the time.
Since then, over 48.1 million vaccine doses have been received in Chile from Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac, AstraZeneca and CanSino. In addition to ensuring that the target population would be fully vaccinated and receive booster shots, Chile has guaranteed that the COVID-19 vaccine campaign will continue through 2022.
Large-scale vaccination began in the country on February 3, 2020, starting with healthcare workers, students completing their clinical training, adults over the age of 90, National Service for Minors (SENAME) staff, care home staff and residents, and staff and residents of long-term residential care homes for senior citizens (ELEAM).
As the process began, President Piñera pledged to inoculate 80% of the target population (15.2 million people) by the midway point of the year. The goal was met: the individuals in that group were fully vaccinated by June 23.
“These achievements belong to all Chileans, but especially to the many anonymous heroes who have made valuable contributions, such as healthcare workers, municipal employees, public officials, members of the Armed Forces and police, and a marvelous army of volunteers,” the President said.
In August of this year, six months after large-scale COVID-19 vaccinations begin in Chile, the country launched its booster shot plan, becoming one of the first in the world to offer an additional dose. Two weeks later, one million people had received the booster shot.
Vaccination for children between the ages of three and five began on December 6. The addition of this last group brings the country’s COVID-19 vaccine program to practically the entire population.
“It is likely that in February, or when necessary, we will launch the campaign to deliver a fourth dose because our first and most important concern is protecting our people’s health and lives,” President Piñera explained.
To date, 17.2 million people have received vaccines, and 16.5 million of them have been fully vaccinated. This represents 90.7% and 86.7% of the target population, respectively, through a voluntary and free process that positions the country as a world leader in protecting its population against COVID-19.
“Last year, the vaccines were the best Christmas gift our country could ask for. This year unity and peace among Chileans will be the best Christmas gift for all families,” President Piñera concluded.