MARCH 12, 2021

President Piñera receives the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine: “We have two great allies: one is the vaccine and the other is our self-care”

As of today, more than 4.6 million people have been vaccinated.

The President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, in line with the vaccination calendar. He also urged people to maintain self-care measures in order to avoid infection.

“We have two great instruments, two great allies. One is the vaccine itself and the other is self-care measures. If we put both to good use and vaccinate the target population of around 15 million people in Chile and also take care to wash our hands frequently, wear face masks, keep physical distance, avoid crowding and take care of our loved ones, we will beat this pandemic,” said the President shortly after receiving his second dose of vaccine at the Chilean Air Force´s hospital clinic.

On February 12, President Piñera received his first dose of the Coronavac vaccine in the Futrono municipality in the Los Ríos Region on the date established in the national vaccination rollout plan for adults aged 71 and 72.

Chile began the COVID-19 vaccination rollout on December 24, 2020 with critical healthcare workers who work in Intensive Care Units. A second phase of the mass vaccination campaign began on February 3, 2021 with senior citizens over 90, healthcare workers and people who work in the National Minors’ Service (SENAME), healthcare residences and long-term residential care homes for senior citizens (ELEAM) 

Since then, new groups have been added daily, including people who work in essential roles dealing with the public, pharmacy staff, laboratory personnel, police officers, personnel who carry out critical State functions, preschool and elementary school staff, patients on dialysis, transplant recipients, patients undergoing treatment for cancer and autoimmune diseases as well as those with chronic illnesses.  

As of today, 6,134,402 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, while a total of 4,618,528 people have received either the first or both doses.

Next week, it will be the turn of those people with chronic illnesses between the ages of 16 and 45, as well workers from the National Emergency Office (ONEMI), the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), the fire department, the Chilean prison service (Gendarmería), transport companies and basic services personnel.

The vaccination program considers vaccinating the majority of the 5 million people identified as part of the critical population by the end of March and the majority of the target population of around 15 million by the end of the first semester.

The government has negotiated contracts with different laboratories to ensure that Chile has the vaccines needed for the target population. In addition to the shipments already received from Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac, agreements are in place to ensure the supply of another 35 million doses of vaccines.

“We are now very close to seeing the light. I hope that with this very successful mass vaccination rollout, which has been recognized worldwide, we will soon see results, allowing us to start a new phase with more freedom, with more possibilities. This is what we want and what we need,” declared the President.

“We will overcome this adversity together, just as we have always done, and get our lives back on track,” he added.