Latin America Mexico, Chile, and Costa Rica Also Begin Pfizer Vaccine Inoculations

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Latin American countries have also begun rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the U.S. company Pfizer, starting around the Christmas holiday.

According to foreign media including the AP News on the 24th (local time), Mexico was the first country in Latin America to start vaccinations. Nurse Maria Irene Ramirez (59), who works in the intensive care unit of a public hospital in Mexico City, became the first vaccine recipient in Mexico that morning. Mexican broadcasters simultaneously aired Ramirez’s vaccination live on TV. At a press conference immediately after receiving the vaccine, Ramirez said, "This is the best gift of the year," adding, "Even if there is fear, we must move forward."

Mexico received its first shipment of 3,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine the day before via a flight from Belgium, and is scheduled to receive about 1.4 million doses by the end of January next year, including 50,000 doses arriving next week. Mexican health authorities plan to vaccinate healthcare workers and the elderly in order.

According to AFP News, in Chile, Sulema Riquelme (46), a nursing assistant, was selected as the first Pfizer vaccine recipient on the same day. Chilean President Sebasti?n Pi?era, who personally attended the vaccination site, told Riquelme, "You are the hope of everyone." Chile received its first shipment of 10,000 Pfizer vaccine doses that morning and plans to gradually expand vaccination from healthcare workers to the general population, aiming to vaccinate over 80% of its population by the first half of next year.

Costa Rica in Central America, which also received about 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine the previous evening, joined the ranks of vaccine-administering countries on the same day. Two elderly residents aged 91 and 72 at a nursing home in the capital San Jos? were the first to be vaccinated. Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, who also attended the site, called it a "moving moment" and emphasized, "We promise the people a safe Christmas."

Meanwhile, Argentina received its initial shipment of 300,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine on the morning of the same day. Argentine health authorities had approved the use of the Sputnik V vaccine the day before, becoming the third country in the world after Russia and Belarus to do so. Argentina plans to start vaccinations next week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.