Countries in the Americas were notified of their first Covid-19 vaccine allocations through COVAX, a coalition led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to ensure equitable access, according to a press release Sunday of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Some 36 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have been informed through letters sent to health authorities about the estimated dose allocation for the first phase of vaccine application, the PAHO statement said.
The AstraZeneca vaccine will be provided first, although it is still under review by WHO for emergency approval. This approval is expected in a few days, according to PAHO.
“With more than 45 million confirmed cases and more than one million deaths, the countries and territories of the Americas, particularly the poorest among them, are experiencing an unprecedented health, economic and social crisis,” said the Director of PAHO Carissa F. Etienne.
“The beginning of the distribution of the vaccine through the COVAX mechanism is a promising step in the fight against this virus and PAHO is proud to facilitate an effort that is urgently needed for our region.”
Delivery schedule: It is estimated that about 35.3 million doses will reach the Americas in this first stage, and should reach their destination from the second half of February to the second quarter of 2021. The numbers of vaccine doses are subject to the production capacity of manufacturing and supply agreements, in addition to approval for emergency use, said the PAHO statement.
Before delivery of the vaccine, countries in the Americas participating in COVAX are now beginning preparations to receive and distribute vaccines, according to PAHO.
Additional doses: In addition, four Latin American countries participating in COVAX were selected by an independent committee based on criteria for pandemic risk, impact and mortality rates in recent weeks to receive a limited number of doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine above their quota assigned.
Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador and Peru will receive a total of 377,910 doses of the Pfizer vaccine scheduled to arrive in mid-February, subject to supply agreements.