Coveñas (Sucre), January 29, 2021. As a historic day, the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Fernando Ruiz, described this date, announcing that Colombia has secured the 35 million vaccines necessary to immunize 70% of its population against covid-19 which will result in herd immunity. In addition, the start of vaccination in the country will be on February 20th.
"We have been able to buy 20 million doses for 10 million Colombians through Covax, and bilateral mechanisms have served to procure 41.5 million doses for 25,250,000 people. Therefore, we reached 61.5 million doses for 35,250,000 million people to be vaccinated," revealed the Minister.
The National Government is guaranteeing vaccination for its prioritized population in the National Vaccination Plan Against Covid-19 with the following vaccines that have been purchased:
Pfizer: 10 million doses for 5 million people. It is a vaccine that uses a novel technology known as messenger RNA. "This vaccine differs from the traditional ones because it does not incorporate live or attenuated virus agents, or fragments of it," explained Ruiz.
AstraZeneca: 10 million doses for 5 million people, and it is a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that must be administered in two doses.
Janssen: 9 million doses for 9 million people. It is a single-dose vaccine that is easy to take to far-flung areas.
Modern: 10 million doses for 5 million people, recently acquired, which is a new technology vaccine also of messenger RNA that requires deep freezing.
Sinovac: 2.5 million doses for 1,250,000 people, also has just been purchased. It is an inactivated, two-dose vaccine that can be stored in standard refrigeration at 2 °C to 8 °C.
In this regard, said the minister, "these are vaccines that have shown efficacy; all exceed the minimum standard required by the WHO for vaccination processes and deliver a diverse portfolio of maneuverability in the event of any problem," he said.
He added that such a portfolio allows for different platforms and types of vaccine to serve the Colombian population.
With this full availability of vaccines, Ruiz presented the vaccination projection, month by month, starting on February 20, 2021 as announced:
- February: 337,000 doses
- March: 3,333,764
- April: 4,663,843
- May: 3,939,843
- June: 7,553,450
- July: 8,294,941
- August: 11,258,941
- September: 5,642,941
- October: 6,260,116
- November: 4,934,352
- December: 3,166,666
"This availability provides us with two possibilities. First, to concentrate a large part of the vaccination process in the beginning of the year and the first half of 2021, where we will have the highest volume of vaccines," Ruiz said, calling on local authorities to prepare all the necessary capacity.
Additionally, and as an aspect to spotlight, the projection and availability awards Colombia the opportunity to complete the vaccination in 100% of the population by 2021.
"We must also add the work of the country's provinces and municipalities implementing the Plan, and the EPSs and IPSs guaranteeing the entire process," said the minister, adding that Colombians can trust the efficacy and safety of the vaccinations.
The head of the health ministry noted that these vaccines will allow overcoming the covid-19 crisis, provided all Colombians contribute with vaccination. "Bear in mind that 35 million people represent almost the entire population over 16 years of age in Colombia, so this must be a national purpose," he requested.
"It is the opportunity for the country to unite, regardless of any difference, in a safe and effective vaccination process, because that is the basis for our country's ability to turn the page on covid-19," he said.
This effort by the National Government represents an investment of more than 2 trillion pesos to be able to provide Colombians with the ability to overcome the current pandemic.
