Second withdrawal of a minister from the Peruvian government. After that of health, the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elizabeth Astete, announced on Twitter his resignation Sunday February 14 after having recognized the “Serious mistake” to have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in January, before the priority populations. His resignation was immediately accepted by the interim president, Francisco Sagasti, who said he was “Indignant and furious at this situation which endangers the efforts of many Peruvians”, in a televised statement.
The scandal erupted on Thursday after the revelation by a Peruvian daily that former President Martin Vizcarra (2018-2020) had been vaccinated against Covid-19 in October, a few weeks before his dismissal by Parliament.
The former head of state, who is running for a parliamentary seat in the April 11 elections, defended himself by saying he had volunteered for the clinical trial of the Sinopharm vaccine, like thousands of others Peruvians. What the university in charge of the test denied. The revelation sparked an uproar, leading to the resignation of Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti on Friday.
Logistics for elected officials that differ from other countries
Unlike other countries, whose presidents, ministers or officials have been vaccinated to set an example, in Peru, criticism is aimed at members of the government who received the vaccine in all discretion and even before the launch of the campaign. official vaccination.
“It is not possible that in the midst of a crisis one uses a public office for personal benefit”said Congress President Mirtha Vasquez, who called for an investigation and sanctions.
According to Peruvian media, many officials and officials may have been vaccinated early, Sinopharm having provided, in addition to the doses planned for the clinical trial, 2,000 additional doses for trial staff and members of the Peruvian government .
More than 40,000 deaths from Covid-19
The first vaccinations started Tuesday in Peru and are currently reserved for health personnel. President Sagasti, 76, received an injection in public on Tuesday and, on the occasion, encouraged Peruvians to get vaccinated.
However, there is not yet a vaccination schedule for the general population, as Peru has so far received only one million doses of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.
According to the latest figures released on Saturday, Peru has recorded 43,703 deaths from Covid-19 for 1.22 million confirmed cases. The Peruvian hospital system is saturated with 14,230 hospitalized Covid-19 patients and a shortage of oxygen for medical use, which is forcing hundreds of Peruvians to queue to get it for a sick loved one.
