(CNN) – The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have already been notified of their first allocations of the covid-19 vaccine through COVAX, a coalition led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance for ensuring fair access, according to a press release released Sunday by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Through letters to health authorities, some 36 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have been informed of their estimated dose allocation for the initial phase of vaccine delivery, according to the PAHO statement.
The AstraZeneca vaccine will be delivered first, although the WHO is still reviewing it for emergency approval. This approval is expected in a few days, according to PAHO.
“With more than 45 million confirmed cases and more than a million deaths, America’s countries and territories, especially the poorest, are experiencing an unprecedented economic, economic and social crisis,” said PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne.
“The initiation of vaccine administration through the COVAX mechanism is an encouraging step in the fight against this virus and PAHO is proud to facilitate an effort that is urgently needed for our region.”
Release schedule for vaccine
It is estimated that approximately 35.3 million doses will reach the region in this first phase. They should arrive at their destination from the second half of February through the second quarter of 2021. Vaccine dose figures depend on manufacturing capacity and supply agreements, in addition to emergency use approval, the OPS statement said.
Before delivery of the vaccine, countries in the region participating in COVAX are now starting to prepare to receive and apply the vaccines, PAHO said.
Extra doses for Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador and Peru
In addition, an independent committee has selected four Latin American countries participating in COVAX, based on criteria of pandemic risk, impact and mortality rates from the past weeks, to receive a limited number of doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in excess of your allotted quota.
Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador and Peru will receive a total of 377,910 doses of the vaccine from Pfizer, expected to arrive in mid-February, pending delivery agreements.