Chile approves emergency use of Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine

[peppertree]

Chile's Institute of Public Health (ISP) approved emergency use of the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine against COVID-19, joining the country's already massive inoculation program, the institute said in a statement.

"We have approved the Sputnik-V vaccine to be used in Chile," ISP President Heriberto García said in the statement.

The committee evaluated data from Chile as well as Mexico and Argentina, where, among 67 other nations, the Russian vaccine is also applied. García noted that Sputnik-V has an effectiveness of 91.6%, and no major adverse effects had been observed.

To date the country has given more than 13 million of its 19 million inhabitants at least one vaccine dose from an arsenal that includes China's Sinovac (80%), Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.

At: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chile-approves-emergency-use-sputnik-v-coronavirus-vaccine-2021-07-21/

Chile's Institute of Public Health (ISP) President Heriberto García announces the approval of Gamaleya's Sputnik-V vaccine for use in Chile.

Latin America's most vaccinated nation (along with Uruguay), Chile had reported a slowdown in deliveries of doses from Pfizer and other sources.

President Francisco Fernández Sagasti in neighboring Peru likewise announced the purchase of 20 million Sputnik-V doses for his country - one of the region's least vaccinated.

[Warpy]

1. It seems to work and Russia has been generous

so good luck to them. At least their people want the protection.

[peppertree]

2. True. Some things are above politics - or should be.

That said, Sputnik is not as good as the Pfizer/BioNTech.

But Chile's health authorities noted that deliveries of Pfizer (Chile was among the first in South America to reserve them) have been well behind schedule, and that this was prompted today's decision.

They've actually been mostly (80%) relying on Sinovac's Coronavac - but its efficacy is somewhat wanting.

The whole region - like most of the 3rd world - has been playing catch-up, so here's hoping they can, in fact, catch up.

Thanks, Warpy, for reading and replying. Have a great weekend.