With infections on the rise, Latin America is betting on omicron vaccination

Latin America is committed to accelerating vaccination campaigns and strengthening prevention measures to face the spread of the omicron coronavirus variant, officially registered in at least a dozen countries in the region, at a time when infections have skyrocketed.

A new wave of confirmed cases clouds the end of the year in Latin America and the Caribbean, which accumulates more than 47 million confirmed infections and nearly 1.6 million deaths, according to an AFP count based on official data.

Brazil, with its massive year-end celebrations canceled, and Chile, with advanced inoculation, are the exception and report a decrease in infections.

In Argentina, where vaccination is voluntary and a third booster dose is encouraged, cases have multiplied by six since the beginning of December, with 7,623 positives registered on Sunday against 1,521 new cases almost a month ago.

Bolivia is at the peak of the fourth wave of the pandemic; while Peru Likewise, Colombia is experiencing an outbreak after doubling infections in the last month, as is Colombia, which is experiencing a rise in daily positives.

The increase in COVID-19 cases coincides with reports of the contagious omicron variant in Panama, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and Ecuador.

The latter detected the first infections with the omicron variant in the port of Guayaquil, one of the initial sources of the pandemic in Latin America, where last year the health and funeral systems collapsed, even leaving deaths in the streets.

“I know that (omicron) is stronger than the (variant) that is commonly circulating. I already have the vaccine, but it’s still scary, “he confessed Yeison chirino, a 28-year-old courier in Bogotá.

“Worried“By omicron

In the midst of the generalized rise in infections, vaccination continues to be the spearhead of the continent for the remainder of the year, with a view to shielding itself in 2022.

In Panama, where in 15 days the number of cases increased by 150%, 7 out of 10 “They feel worried about catching it” for the new variant, according to a poll released Monday.

The Panamanian government enabled 126 more vaccination points, some of which were overwhelmed, generating a momentary shortage of vaccines.

Cuba, which claims to have the pandemic under control with its three COVID vaccines (Abdala, Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus), also accelerated the booster vaccination after reporting a moderate increase in cases.

Peru agreed to buy 55 million doses of vaccines, in part to administer a fourth injection to medical personnel and vulnerable populations. In addition, it reinforced the vaccination campaign, which reaches 76% of the target population.

In Latin America, however, controversial measures have been approved. Ecuador implemented the mandatory anti-COVID vaccination for the first time in the region and Bolivia will require the vaccination card from 2022 to those who go to public places, such as banks and markets.

By contrast, Mexico began in early December to apply booster doses to those over 60 and avoided imposing restrictions on the economy and end-of-year celebrations.

“We are afraid of the new variant. They say that it looks like the flu in symptoms and with the cold, people catch a cold and they no longer know what it is“Said Gabriela Mora, a 53-year-old Mexican.

Mexico It is one of the countries that tests the least in the world, with 0.1 per 1,000 inhabitants so far in December, according to the University of Oxford.

Chile and Brazil, exceptions in the region

Although reached by omicron, Chile and Brazil are the exception in the region, reporting a reduction in new cases.

Chile reported 760 new infections on Monday, 25% less than the average of the last two weeks, a decrease that the authorities attribute to the high percentage of vaccinated.

Some 15.8 million Chileans have received two doses of vaccines (86.7% of the eligible population) and 10.2 million a third (62%). The country will begin to apply a fourth dose from February.

And in Brazil, which reported the first omicron infections in Latin America, the average number of daily cases continues to decline, to 3,397 per day, a drop of 62% compared to two weeks ago.

A booster vaccine is also applied in the South American giant and the New Year’s celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and almost all state capitals were canceled due to the pandemic.

After injecting herself with a third dose, Roberta Assis, a 27-year-old lawyer, is cautious. You will receive 2022 at a friend’s house in Rio de Janeiro. “We will be few people, there is still not enough to crowd a lot “he explained.