COVID-19: only 27.5% of children between 5 and 11 years old have two doses of the vaccine

The vaccine is the best tool that humanity has to deal with the pandemic of COVID-19. Since the first doses took place, governments around the world have encouraged their citizens to access it and soon put an end to the health crisis. However, in the case of Peru, it has been identified that minors between 5 and 11 years of age go to vaccination centers less and less.

A publication by engineer Juan Carbajal, former volunteer member of Open Covid Peru, shows that over the past few days the participation curve has fallen dramatically. “The rate of pediatric vaccination is plummeting,” says the specialist's publication. At the end of February, when the participation of 89,000 minors was recorded, only 42,000 are now registered.

“On the other hand, by now we should have reached at least 40% with two doses. However, it has reached 27.5%”, according to the Carbajal publication. Although the authorities have announced that it is not necessary for minors to have both doses of the vaccine to return to their schools, the authorities have not stopped urging them to go to get vaccinated and comply with the corresponding schedule.

It is important to note that the influx of minors depends a lot on the support of adults in their care, since it is crucial that they accompany them so that they can sign the corresponding permit. Although there is a significant percentage of minors who have received the first dose of the vaccine, it is important that they go for the second dose as a means of preventing contagion against the new variants that have arrived in our country and for which there is still no record.

PROGRESS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

Nor are the figures encouraging when the entire population is taken into account. According to the COVID-19 vaccine situation room, only 35.14% of the general population has received the booster dose, despite recommendations and warnings from the authorities about its importance to variants of the virus.

Considering the vulnerable population, 68.32% have received three doses of the vaccine. Although this is a different figure from other age groups, it should be borne in mind that 30% of that group that needs the third dose remains. According to Minsa, 11,519,265 Peruvians already have the booster dose. In relation to the total doses, there are 65,276,242 vaccines administered from February 2021 to March 16, 2022.

“We renew our commitment to fight the pandemic and recognize our health heroes, who continue to fight the pandemic. Together let's complete our vaccination and let's not let down our guard,” said the Minister of Health.

Despite the low influx in vaccination centers, the number of infections nationwide continues to decline, and the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control (CDC Peru) of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) has estimated that by the end of March and the beginning of April, the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control (CDC Peru), of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), has estimated that by the end of March and the beginning of April the third wave of COVID-19. The executive director of Public Health Surveillance at CDC Peru, Cesar Munayco, said that what happens this year will be decisive in declaring the SARS-CoV-2 virus an endemic disease.

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