[News] Normality could take two years despite having vaccines, according to PAHO

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Although vaccines against COVID-19 have already begun to be inoculated, the normality that existed before the coronavirus pandemic will take at least two years to return, the Pan American Health Organization said on Wednesday, at a time that also sees signs of a possible second wave of infections in countries like Brazil and Mexico.

“We cannot despair. It will take time. The next two years are going to be critical, ”said Marcos Espinal, director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at PAHO. "We are not going to achieve herd immunity immediately," he said after explaining that until 60% or 70% of the po[CENSORED]tion is vaccinated, it will be necessary to wear masks, keep distance and avoid crowds of people.

Espinal made his remarks at a virtual press conference that PAHO offers every week from its headquarters in Washington, a day after Great Britain started a global vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

It is expected that in the coming days the US authorities will give the green light to vaccination, which would pave the way for other countries in the Americas to do the same.

Some 28.5 million people have been infected with COVID-19 on the continent since the start of the pandemic and 753,000 have died, according to information from PAHO based on statistics provided by governments. In recent weeks the region has experienced its highest levels.

In the United States, about 200,000 cases are registered daily and there are more than 100,000 people hospitalized. In Mexico, one of the first Latin American countries to begin vaccination this month, cases have increased, especially in the state of Baja California, near the border with the United States, said PAHO Director Carissa Etienne.

“We are seeing countries in the region with an increase or signs of a second wave,” Espinal said, mentioning Brazil, Uruguay, Peru and Mexico among them.

 

First vaccines for vulnerable
PAHO said that from March or April the Latin American countries that have committed to participate in the COVAX mechanism will receive the first vaccines. He warned, however, that the doses will be limited and will only be sufficient in a first stage to save lives among health personnel, the elderly and people with diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Later, in a second stage, immunization will be to control the spread of the virus.

This week, the ministers of health of the countries of the Americas will meet within the framework of PAHO to analyze the preparations, purchase and distribution of vaccines through COVAX. Despite economic difficulties, countries have already contributed $ 1 billion to ensure vaccines through this mechanism.

"It is not enough to have the vaccine," said Jarbas Barbosa, the deputy director of PAHO. He explained that it is also necessary to prepare supplies such as syringes, train health personnel and define who will receive it first.

Barbosa said that it is up to each country to decide whether or not vaccination will be mandatory, but clarified that this is not the time to think about it but rather to prepare for when the vaccines are already available.