Nicaragua becomes 16th Latin American country to begin Covid-19 vaccination

The Central American country became the 16th Latin American nation to start its Covid-19 vaccination campaign on March 2, immunizing chronic disease patients at a state-owned healthcare center in the capital Managua. 

According to Vice President Rosario Murillo, the priority vaccine group includes patients with heart and kidney problems and those currently undergoing cancer treatment. Nicaragua has received an undisclosed number of doses of Russian-made Sputnik V in late February, as part of a national immunization plan that intends to acquire 7.4 million doses by the end of the year 2021. 

The government also expects to receive 200,000 doses from the Indian government later this month, as well as 135,000 by way of the UN-backed Covax facility. 

Nicaragua has recorded 6,400 confirmed coronavirus cases and 174 deaths, but experts say figures are underreported. Independent Covid-19 watchdogs say cases have surpassed 13,000 and deaths could be as high as 3,000. 

Now, only Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, and Guatemala are waiting to administer their first Covid-19 vaccines.

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