Venezuela starts this Thursday first phase of vaccination with Sputnik-V to prioritized sectors

The president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced the start from this Thursday of the first phase of the vaccination process against COVID-19 with the first doses of the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine, aimed at priority sectors among which ar included medical and health personnel, all social work personnel, security bodies and authorities such as Governors, mayors, and deputies to the National Assembly.

During a press conference with international media from Miraflores Palace in Caracas, the Venezuelan Head of State confirmed that Sputnik-V is the only scientifically approved vaccine in Venezuela.

He reiterated that there is a problem of vaccine production in the world, but also of monopolization of vaccines. “Those who promised 300 million vaccines to the European Union, they have not fulfilled, and we’re talking about the EU,” he emphasized.

He specified that the Presidential Commission for the Control and Prevention of COVID-19 has planned the mass vaccination process for April.

Venezuela evaluates other anti-COVID vaccines

Yes, I am going to get vaccinated, along with Cilia, with the Sputnik-V vaccine, as soon as we can,” clarified President Maduro this Wednesday after acknowledging the scientific strength of this Russian vaccine.

“I believe that up to this moment it is the most advanced vaccine, the best vaccine in the world is Sputnik-V and I have no doubt about that,” he emphasized, not without first ensuring that the country evaluates other vaccines that could be applied previously authorization from the National Institute of Hygiene.

We are also studying other vaccines. We are studying all the vaccines that the world has, and it will be our National Institute of Hygiene, which will give the last word on the vaccines that are approved for use in Venezuela, ”he assured.

He explained that Chinese vaccines are under study, and therefore he does not rule out their application from previous studies.

He assured that he knows a lot about the subject since he has spoken with specialists here and in the world, requested opinions from infectologysts and experts in this field throughout the world, for which he explained that Sputnik is highly effective and therefore the country invested 200 million dollars in the 10 million doses that should arrive in this first quarter.

He also indicated that through diplomatic channels, Venezuela is making efforts to free at least 300 million dollars sequestered abroad, which are expected to be invested in vaccines for the protection of the people.