Coronavirus Vaccines in South America: Within the regional race to be vaccinated against Covid-19

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“Latin American countries visit for vaccines and medical supplies no matter where they come from,” said Parsifal D’Sola, founder and CEO of the Andres Bello Foundation, a think tank dedicated to Sino-Latin relations. America. “To date, developed countries have purchased over 50% of the available vaccines, so it is likely that Latin America will reach out to China and Russia to fill the gap. . “

The Coronavac, manufactured by the Chinese company Sinovac, is already part of a large-scale distribution in Brazil. Several countries have adopted Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines, including Argentina and Bolivia. However, in general, the delivery of regional vaccines is false and unbalanced without a coordinated approach, and it remains to be seen how the pandemic could undermine diplomatic relations between South America and the rest of the world compose.

As Cynthia Arnson, Latin America Program Director at the Wilson Center policy forum in Washington, told CNN, South American countries have rarely been so frustrated that they cannot come up with common strategies. “

Here’s where their vaccination campaigns currently stand:

Argentina

Alberto Fernandez’s left-wing government was among the first in the world to receive orders from the Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine.

In December, Aerolineas Argentinas, a live flag flying a special flight to Moscow to pick up the first doses, signaled the closeness of the partnership with Russia in Buenos Aires.

Argentina has also received orders from other manufacturers for a total of nearly 50 million doses, according to Duke University’s database of vaccine pre-purchase agreements.

All vaccines have been delivered so far from Russia.

Brazil

Brazil has been among the worst hit in the world by the coronavirus, and its vaccine saga has turned ugly with state regulators criticizing the federal government for lack of coordination, and the President Jair Bolsonaro casts doubt on vaccines.
How the Covid-19 vaccination plan collapsed in Brazil

Compared to its neighbors, Brazil has strong vaccine manufacturing capabilities. However, experts say the country finally fell in the race to buy active ingredients for their production.

Now, the best hope in the country is the Chinese Coronavac vaccine, a humiliating outcome due to signs of Bolsonaro’s hostility towards China. More than 2 million doses have already been dispensed in Brazil, the highest number in the region.

Bolivia

Bolivia underwent a change of power in November when left-wing President Luis Arce replaced Jeanine Añez.

While awaiting the first COVAX doses given to Bolivia, Arce is able to receive at least 20,000 Russian doses of vaccine, which arrived in Bolivia on 28 January.

The purchase marks close ties with both Russia and Argentina, where President Fernandez is a close friend of Arce and his predecessor Evo Morales.

Chile

Public data from Duke University show that Chile bought pre-vaccines from Western manufacturers AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, but the largest order was placed for Coronavac in China. China is already Chile’s main economic partner.

Despite prescribing more than 90 million vaccine doses for a population of less than 20 million people, Chile ‘s vaccination program has yet to pick up steam. Less than 70,000 people have been vaccinated so far.

Colombia

Colombia is the largest country in South America that has not yet started vaccinations.

President Ivan Duque responded to critics saying the country was heavily reliant on COVAX equipment and promised vaccinations would begin on February 20th.

Colombia, the closest ally in the United States, did not buy vaccines directly from Russia but recently announced a small purchase of the Coronavac made in China.

Ecuador

Last month, this Andean country started their vaccination program using the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine. Like other countries in the region, we are eagerly awaiting COVAX equipment to deliver doses.

Ecuador is holding primary elections on Sunday. Left-wing candidate Andres Arauz has been harshly criticized by government rule on the crisis, and says if elected, he will receive millions more doses from China and Russia in the Argentine way.

Guyana and suriname

None have been vaccinated – but the effects of a pandemic have been small, with fewer than 10 thousand cases in each.

Both expect to receive doses through COVAX.

Paraguay

The only landed country in South America is a case study for vaccine diplomacy.

Paraguay does not have a diplomatic relationship with Beijing, and has recognized Taiwan – which China claims – as the legitimate Republic of China.

Last year, a group of lawmakers submitted a motion to the Senate to change recognition in favor of Beijing, hoping to get more medical supplies to prevent the pandemic. The vote did not pass.

Paraguay has not yet received a single dose of the vaccine, but is awaiting more than 4 million doses through COVAX.

Peru

Like neighboring Colombia, Peru has not received any doses yet. Both countries are expected to be among the first to receive vaccines from COVAX, but Peru has also seized the Sinopharm vaccine in China to boost its arsenal.

In total, Peru expects more than 50 million doses, partly as a result of the vaccine tests it conducted last year to provide valuable data to manufacturers.

Uruguay

After Venezuela, South America has the lowest number of Covid-19 deaths per million people in South America. The government has orders with both Pfizer and Sinovac, which also expect nearly 2 million doses through COVAX.

One of the smallest countries in the region, Uruguay is already starting vaccinations.

President Lacalle Pou has lamented what he described as an “intimidating trade war” over vaccines.

Venezuela

On paper, Venezuela is the least affected country in South America.

However, there are still strong doubts about the ability of the government of President Nicolas Maduro to monitor the affairs of the country effectively.

Maduro announced that Venezuela would receive vaccines from its traditional allies Russia and China as early as October, but a vaccination campaign has not yet been set up.

Maduro has also been hoping to get the Cuba Soberana 01 vaccine, which is still being developed.

In January, Venezuela was blocked from joining COVAX due to a lack of payments, according to the Pan American Health Organization.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Cynthia Arnson’s last name.

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