PANAMA (AP) – Panama’s health authorities reported that they plan to apply the third booster dose of the new coronavirus vaccine to the most vulnerable population starting in the first quarter of next year.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Ivette Berrío, told a local television news on Wednesday that for this they are already negotiating with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer a new supply of the inoculant, which is the most used in the advanced immunization program in the Central American country.
“The reinforcement will help not only to contain the spread of the virus, but also to help the human being to improve his immunological condition to continue facing” the new variants, he indicated.
Panama intensified its inoculation plan in recent weeks as shipments from Pfizer and AstraZeneca increased. Berrío indicated that they hope to have the population fully vaccinated with the two doses or to reach the so-called herd immunity in late October or early November.
The authorities assure that their advanced vaccination plan has prevented a higher incidence of infections despite the presence of the delta variant, which is more contagious. The country this week eliminated the obligation to take temperature in shopping centers, public institutions and schools, while removing the requirement to be tested or quarantine travelers from countries with low rates of cases who enter with full vaccination.
Panama continues with a daily average of more than 400 cases and single-digit death rates. So far it has registered 457,487 infections and 7,061 deaths.
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