500,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines arrived in the country that will be used for second doses

This Sunday, April 11, another 500,000 doses of vaccines against covid-19 from the Sinovac laboratory arrived in the country. According to the Vice Minister of Public Health and Provision of Services, Luis Alexander Moscoso, These doses will be used to cover second doses of the adult population aged 70 years and over, within stage two of the National Vaccination Plan.

Likewise, the deputy minister stressed, with this half a million doses it will be possible to “cover some vaccines that could not be applied in previous days.

The official also explained that with these vaccines it will be possible to complete a vaccination process in a significant number of the population.

These 500 thousand doses of vaccines will allow us to complete the immunization schedule for a very important group of the population.

Moscoso stressed that in this way progress is being made in the consolidation of the National Vaccination Plan against covid-19, with the aim of achieving, by the end of the year, the immunization of 70% of the Colombian population, as planned.

Finally, he highlighted the need to maintain self-care measures, such as the correct use of the mask, avoid crowds, respect physical distance and stay in ventilated spaces.

It should be remembered that a few days ago, The Ministry of Health and Social Protection reported that during the vaccination process and the opening of face-to-face scheduling in some segments of the population, what is called “spontaneous demand” was generated.

“Such spontaneous demand, led to the use, in some cases, of vaccines available for second doses, as the first dose,” said the entity. That is, all vaccines of the Sinovac Pharmaceuticals have already been applied and the reserves of the second dose were not kept.

According to the entity, This situation can cause the dose interval for the second application to be extended, so it is necessary to postpone the scheme for a few days. Still, this does not jeopardize the effectiveness of the vaccine.

“The expert committee had already recommended up to 56 days maximum time between the first and second dose, and there are ongoing studies documented in the scientific literature that indicate that some vaccines can be applied later with better results, so it can be ensured that the second dose at these times is safe and effective ”, expressed the Health portfolio.

On April 8, through social networks, different users reported that older adults who were close to receiving the dose of the vaccine against covid-19, will not be able to do so due to lack of supplies.

According to RCN Radio, some people received a message that claimed: “We allow ourselves to inform you that the scheduled appointment for the second dose for covid vaccination is rescheduled” and then they are given a new date to attend the Movistar Arena.

Likewise, other older adults have received the same information. but instead of rescheduling it, they get canceled.

According to the users’ report on Twitter, this message is accompanied by a text that states that “The national government notifies that the Sinovac laboratory did not deliver the planned vaccines and consequently the users who were scheduled will not be able to receive this dose. This will not affect your vaccination schedule ”.

The national station announced the case of an 88-year-old woman who was scheduled to receive the vaccine this Thursday. His son Enrique Sánchez assured the media that, “we were after a lot of work inside the ambulance and a call came to us from Colsanitas saying that the second vaccine was canceled, that there were no doses available and that the national government had not been able to send the vaccines they required ”.

Faced with this, EPS Sanitas issued a statement acknowledging that it had to schedule appointments again for vaccination due to “Reasons beyond their control.” They indicated that they will resume the vaccination schedule when “Make delivery of scheduled doses.”

“Due to reasons beyond our management and will, part of the appointments scheduled at our vaccination points are being rescheduled. Once the scheduled doses are delivered, we will continue advancing in the immunization of our members “, the statement reads.

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