Iran donates 200,000 doses of vaccines against covid-19 to Nicaragua

Managua, 18 Mar The Government of Iran donated 200,000 doses of Coviran Barekat vaccines against covid-19 to Nicaragua, as part of a health cooperation agreement between the two countries, Nicaraguan authorities reported Friday. The shipment with the Coviran Barekat vaccine is expected to arrive in Nicaragua next May. “Many thanks to the Iranian people, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Nicaragua's Vice-President Rosario Murillo said in a speech briefly addressing the issue. The Iranian donation was released after Nicaragua signed a tripartite agreement with pharmaceutical company Barekat, and with Iran's Ministry of Health, the Nicaraguan government reported through official media. Nicaragua is currently developing a national day of permanent vaccination against covid-19, which for the first time covers all ages from the age of two, as well as the different groups of the population. According to the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health, the covid-19 pandemic has left 228 dead and 18,310 infections since the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was detected in this country two years ago. Official data do not match those of the Covid-19 Citizen Observatory, a network of independent doctors that monitors the pandemic and reports 5,988 deaths from pneumonia and other symptoms related to the new coronavirus, as well as 32,110 suspected cases of contagion, numbers that the Government does not recognize. According to figures from the Government, which has not established restrictions to prevent the spread of covid-19, 65% of the population over two years old already have the complete vaccination schedule, while 90% have at least one dose. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has reported that all variants of concern about SARS-CoV-2 circulate in Nicaragua, mainly omicron, data that local authorities have not confirmed. Nicaragua and Iran are allied countries on issues of international politics. CHIEF wpr/lfp/gf/rrt