Bolivia consults with experts from Spain, Argentina and Russia to combine vaccines

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Bolivia is analyzing the possibility of combining Covid-19 vaccines, based on consultations with local specialists and experts from Spain, Russia and Argentina, given the shortage of second doses of the Sputnik V vaccine.

“We are holding meetings with national and international institutions” to determine the possibility of combining vaccines, said the Vice-Minister of Health Insurance Angela Hidalgo in a press conference on Wednesday.

Hidalgo mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made arrangements to “hold meetings with the Spanish Scientific Institute” to determine a combination of doses, taking into account the delays that occurred in that country with the AstraZeneca vaccines and additional Pfizer doses.

The Vice-Minister said that consultations are not limited to Spain but also with health institutions in Argentina and Russia. We hope that “the analysis underway will help us to make the best decision for the population,” she remarked.

Five days ago in Bolivia there were no second doses for people given the first of the Russian vaccine and who have now completed the tolerable time of 90 days between immunizations, as it was initially indicated.

Based on the supplier’s studies, Hidalgo reiterated that the time permitted between doses is 180 days, with the first vaccine administration providing “80% protection” against Covid-19.

Some 170,000 people are waiting for the administration of a second dose of the Russian vaccine and have now completed the 90-day waiting period, according to the Vice-Minister.

In this respect, Hidalgo specified that in the coming days there will be results of the consultations “to be able to give the population several alternative options,” considering that the first is to administer the second dose of Sputnik V.

The unavailability of this second dose has triggered protests in health insurances where this immunization was to be conducted, with threats of road blocks given the impatience of beneficiaries.

The latest report of the Ministry of Health showed that 2,834,736 first and 1,425,551 second doses have been administered among the 7.2 million people eligible for vaccination.

Since the end of January Bolivia’s vaccination scheme has been administering Sinopharm, Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Janssen vaccines through bilateral acquisitions and donations received through the United Nations Covax mechanism.