Ombudsman's Office: More than 20 million people do not have all three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine

The slowdown in COVID-19 vaccination in Peru is alarming all health authorities and organizations in the country. This is due to the imminent threat of a fourth wave, because of the increase in cases in countries of Europe and Asia. Thus, the Office of the Ombudsman warned that there are more than 20 million people who do not have the three doses of the vaccine.

The entity reached this figure following national monitoring, noting that the low percentage of people protected by the booster dose is alarming.

The scopes were announced by the ombudsman, Walter Gutiérrez Camacho, at a press conference. The vaccination process was commented on the general population, older adults, native communities, and minors.

The Deputy for State Administration, Alicia Abanto, said that many months have passed since the administration of the vaccines, and that the goal would be to have the entire population on their three booster doses - at least for those over 18 years old. Thus, he noted the worrying figures in which vaccination is currently found in Peru:

- 4.2 million people do not have a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

- 7.1 million people do not have the second dose of the vaccine.

- 13.1 million people have not received a third dose of the vaccine.

Thus, there is a cumulative figure of 24.4 million people without their third dose, either because they have not received the second or none of them.

In addition, he explained that of the 211 thousand people who died from this disease, 95% were older than 40 years. These people without vaccines, then, are at health risk and in a situation of high danger to the virus.

ADOLESCENT FIGURES

Concerning the vaccination of minors, worrying results were also found, according to Deputy Abanto:

- 1 million adolescents have not received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

- 1.8 million boys and girls have not received any dose of the vaccine.

Gutiérrez pointed out that since the government of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the Office of the Ombudsman has been preparing reports and proposing improvements in the vaccination process. This was repeated in the government of Martín Vizcarra, Francisco Sagasti and now Pedro Castillo. However, he regretted that his recommendations had not been heeded and that he was now at high risk.

FORMER MINISTER HERNANDO CEVALLOS CRITICIZES VACCINATION SLOWDOWN

On March 22, the former Minister of Health, Hernando Cevallos, spoke about the slowdown of the vaccination against COVID-19. He mentioned that the daily figures remain below 50% of the figures that we should have already achieved at this stage of the pandemic. Thus, he pointed out that this is a commitment of the entire Executive Branch.

“In general, vaccination is oscillating, depending on circumstances, special dates. But, in general, the idea is to maintain a level of promotion in coverage in monthly, bi-monthly averages. This is not happening,” he said in an interview with RPP Noticias.

Thus, he pointed out that “we are below 50% of the daily average that we should have”, where the Ministry of Health (Minsa) has a share of responsibility. With this, he pointed out that measures must be taken to continue the massification of vaccination.

On the other hand, on the Government, he said that it should generate levels of commitment with various sectors of the country. In this way, the former minister stressed that the pace of vaccination also depends on regional and local governments.

KEEP READING