CARACAS, Sept. 5 (Reuters) – Venezuela hopes to receive the first COVAX vaccines during the week and the second dose of Russian Spnutik V against the coronavirus on Monday, President Nicolás Maduro said on Sunday, at a time when In the South American country, vaccination is slow.
The Venezuelan government completed the payment of the COVAX mechanism at the end of the second quarter, but the vaccines have not reached the country as well as the second dose of the Russian one. Many of the people vaccinated with Sputnik V, including several over 60, exceeded the 90-day waiting period established by the health authority.
“This week the first vaccines of the COVAX mechanism arrive and we hope that the COVAX mechanism accelerates so that in October they deliver all the vaccines to us, to vaccinate according to the estimated 6 million Venezuelans only with the COVAX mechanism,” Maduro said in a broadcast interview. on state television. He did not specify how many doses will arrive in the country.
Maduro pointed out that he also spoke with the Russian ambassador accredited in Venezuela about the delivery of Russian vaccines, without specifying the number of doses to be received.
“They have already solved some problems they had in the production companies. This week, part of that second dose enters Venezuela on Monday and by the end of September the operation of the second dose should be completed,” said Maduro.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad, has reported delays in international deliveries. The Russian vaccine uses two different component doses and is administered 21 days apart, but Venezuelan authorities have said the withdrawal period can be extended up to 90 days.
Venezuela has vaccinated its population with the Russian vaccines and that of the Chinese manufacturer Sinopharm, but the authorities have not specified the doses administered or the number of vaccinated. Academic studies have indicated about 3.3 million Venezuelans, or just over 10% of the population, would be vaccinated.
The government of Venezuela is currently in talks with opposition leaders to seek solutions to the political confrontation and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. In the framework of the approaches, two opponents, Gilberto Sojo and Yovanny Salazar, were released between Friday and Saturday.
Maduro added on Sunday that the talks in Mexico, under the facilitation of Norway, would help improve the country’s situation, but he also described the opposition delegation as “politicians dependent on the pronouncements of the United States.” (Reporting by Deisy Buitrago and Brian Ellsworth. Edited by Mayela Armas)
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