Peru receives first batch of Chinese COVID-19 vaccine

BOGOTA, Colombia

The first batch of vaccines produced by China’s Sinopharm arrived Sunday in Lima, Peru, according to that country’s president.

Francisco Sagasti announced the arrival of 300,000 doses of the vaccines on Twitter.

“I’m grateful to the efforts of the private sector and civil society which made this success possible,” he said. "We are ready to start the first vaccination for those who risk their lives for us and fight in the front lines.”

The next batch of vaccines are scheduled to arrive Feb. 13, Sagasti said, adding that health professionals, armed forces, police officers, student firefighters and health workers will be given priority in inoculation.

Peru has reported nearly 1.2 million infections and more than 42,300 deaths.

*Writing by Sena Guler