In Guatemala, Covid-19 infections are on the rise, although official figures do not reflect this. People are hearing that more and more people are testing positive after taking a home test, cases that are not registered by the Ministry of Health. But while the virus spreads, the country still has no vaccines against the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned days ago that there is a widespread perception that Covid-19 “has gone,” which is wrong, since The more the virus circulates, the more likely it is to mutate and become “more severe”.
For this reason, the WHO continues to recommend that governments continue to invest in monitoring the virus and protecting their populations from infection, “and thus be ready for drastic increases in COVID cases,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, director of Prevention and Preparedness for Epidemics and Pandemics at WHO.
Among the preventive measures mentioned vaccinationmainly to those who are at high risk of getting sick (people over 60 years of age, chronically ill people and healthcare personnel), and they should receive a dose 12 months after the last injection.
However, the organization is aware that there are certain problems with the supply of the biological product, since Vaccine production has declined over the past year because companies are no longer willing to supply the market with the drug.
Contagions in Guatemala
At the moment In the country, the KP and JN.1 variants predominatewhich has led to an increase in cases. Although the clinical symptoms observed are mild, according to the Health report between July 1 and August 4 5,724 cases and seven deaths were confirmed.
Of the 103 thousand coronavirus vaccines that arrived last December as a result of a donation, the dashboard of the Covid-19 Situation in Guatemala indicates that 82,215 were administered, including first and second doses and booster dosesIn addition, 15,138 were administered as a fifth dose.
The Ministry of Health reported that only 354 remained to be placed, while They wasted 5 thousand 293.
The vaccine expired last May, but 59 doses were administered between June and August. The previous health authorities indicated that, as indicated by the manufacturer, there was a “safety window” that allowed them to be used after the expiration date.
The first vaccine against Covid-19 in Guatemala was administered to a nurse on February 25, 2021. (Photo Prensa Libre: PL Archives)
The last doses that arrived in the country did so on December 24 and were bivalent vaccines of the Moderna brand. The priority was to reach the population that had not started the vaccination schedule, and the people who were at greater risk of infection.
22.5% was used for first doses, 17% to complete vaccination schedules, while 60.2% was used to cover booster doses.
Since the first vaccine against covid-19 was applied on February 25, 2021, Only 48.11% of Guatemalans included in the Covid-19 Vaccination Plan have the complete scheme to date (two doses).
In Mexico, the Federal Commission for the Protection of Health Risks (Cofepris) has already authorized the marketing of vaccines against covid-19and since last December the biological product against the new strains of the virus can be purchased in pharmacies. The available brands are Pfizer and Moderna, and prices range between 845 pesos and 900 pesos (about Q360).
Meanwhile, in Guatemala, the Ministry of Health reported that the sale of doses by the private sector is being analyzed, “in response to various public requests.”
In addition to the fact that “a process for the purchase of vaccines is open”, however, at this time the most important thing is the prevention of the disease – use of a mask, hand washing or use of alcohol.
The portfolio has allocated Q44.1 million in its budget for anti-COVID doses and as of August 6, the execution was at zero, according to a report from the Integrated Accounting System (Sicoin) of the Ministry of Finance.
Virus in constant change
The virus that causes covid-19 is constantly changing, while Vaccine protection against the disease decreases over time, said Dr. Nancy Sandoval, head of the Internal Medicine Department at Roosevelt Hospital and professor of Internal Medicine at Rafael Landívar University.
He said that these changes have little or no effect on the properties of the virus, but some variations increase its spread, severity or influence the effectiveness of available vaccines or medications, as well as tests or diagnostic methods.
On that account It is a priority to receive an updated vaccine so that protection against virus variants can be restored and improved.regardless of whether any dose has been received before. He added that the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC) is to receive one dose every year, just like the flu vaccine.
It is known that vaccination not only reduces the possibility of complications but also the need for hospitalization or fatal outcome, as Sandoval mentioned. In addition, it reduces the chances of suffering the effects of persistent Covid-19 or Long Covid.
