President Piñera receives first shipment of almost 2 million Sinovac vaccines against COVID-19
The arrival of these vaccines allows for the start of mass vaccination. This first shipment will be complemented by another similar one, of almost 2 million additional doses, which is expected to arrive to Chile on Sunday, January 31.
President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, received the first shipment of almost 2 million doses from Sinovac against COVID-19 this Thursday and announced the start of mass vaccinations starting next week.
“It´s a day of joy, emotions and hope because after so much pain, suffering, hardships and anguish, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. The vaccine is going to be a very effective tool to better protect the health and lives of all of our fellow citizens,” the President remarked from Arturo Merino Benítez Airport, accompanied by Health Minister Enrique Paris.
The plan for mass vaccination will begin with this new shipment and aims to reach 5 million people from the priority group in the first quarter and 15 million people by the end of the first semester.
President Piñera explained the mass vaccination process that will begin on Wednesday, February 3. According to the official calendar, inoculation will begin with healthcare workers, clinical intern students, senior citizens over 90, workers from the National Service for Minors (SENAME), workers from healthcare residences and workers and residents from Long-term Care Residences for Senior Citizens (ELEAM).
The calendar of the vaccination process with dates and details of each group is available at www.gob.cl/yomevacuno.
The arrival of 2 million more vaccines is expected this Sunday.
“I want to reiterate that all vaccines to be administered in Chile are free, voluntary and they have a seal that guarantees its safety and effectiveness through the approval of the Public Health Institute (ISP),” declared the President.
-
Vaccines
On Wednesday, January 20, the Public Health Institute (ISP), based on the recommendation from the Expert Committee for the assessment of COVID-19 vaccines, authorized the emergency use of the CoronaVac vaccine from the Sinovac Life Sciences Laboratory Co., Ltd.
The evaluated vaccine showed to be safe in all age segments and was approved by the ISP for use in people over 18 years of age.
The Sinovac vaccine requires two doses and must be stored at 2°C/8°C for product preservation.
The government has taken steps to secure more than 10 million doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine as well as more than 10 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine. In addition to these are the agreements and contracts that exist with other laboratories, as is the case with AstraZeneca/Oxford, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) and the COVAX agreement, which allow Chile to ensure more than 30 million doses of vaccines.
On December 24, 2020 a plane from Belgium arrived carrying the first 9,750 doses of the vaccines against COVID-19 from the Pfizer-BioNTech Laboratory. With this initial shipment, Chile began its vaccination process that has been defined as gradual, free and voluntary.
“With these vaccines, plus others that are on their way, in the middle of agreements and negotiations, we are going to be able to assure all of our citizens what we promised and committed ourselves to do from the first day: to have a safe and effective vaccine in a timely manner, for all our fellow citizens who require it,” said the President.