Peru receives second tranche of COVID-19 vaccine

Peru is slated to receive its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines today from the Chinese company Sinopharm.

President Francisco Sagasti announced that frontline healthcare workers would be the first to receive doses under the country’s current vaccination plan. Peru has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting 1.2 million cases and 43,000 deaths. The country is expecting over 50 million doses of multiple vaccines, following large-scale trials in the country.

High case numbers across South America are likely to see China promote—and local governments use—Sinopharm’s and Sinovac Biotech’s vaccines to bolster ties in the region. Large economies, such as Brazil and Chile, have pre-ordered millions of doses of both Chinese vaccines. Reliance on Chinese vaccines is expected to be high as countries in the region depending on Western vaccines or the WHO COVAX facility, such as Colombia, have not been able to start vaccinations largely due to supply shortages.

Expect China to highlight successful vaccine deliveries and strengthen economic and political ties in a region historically dominated by the US. Positive perceptions of Beijing are likely to increase in the short-term, creating a strategic opening.