Mexico Begins COVID-19 Vaccinations with Frontline Healthcare Worker
Mexico City, December 24, 2020—Mexico has officially launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, signaling a significant step in the fight against the pandemic. On Thursday, Maria Irene Ramirez, a 59-year-old nurse working in an intensive care unit in Mexico City, became the first person in the country to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
“This is the best gift I could have received in 2020,” Ramirez said after receiving the injection. “We are afraid, but we have to keep going because someone has to face this fight.”
Mexico’s vaccination rollout prioritizes healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic. The country has been hard-hit by COVID-19, with over 120,000 confirmed deaths. A report released in September by Amnesty International found that Mexico had the highest known number of healthcare worker deaths due to COVID-19 worldwide.
The initial batch of vaccines consists of 3,000 doses, with plans to vaccinate more than 1 million healthcare workers by the end of January. The government’s goal is to make the vaccine available to the general public by late 2021.
This development comes as nations around the globe are initiating vaccination programs. The distribution of vaccines in Mexico may offer insights for other countries, including those in Asia, as they navigate the logistical challenges of immunizing large populations.
The pandemic has underscored the critical importance of international cooperation and solidarity. As vaccines become more accessible, global efforts continue to focus on ensuring equitable distribution to all regions, including developing nations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
