The autonomous regions of the North and South Caribbean, the poorest in Nicaragua and with the largest ethnic population, have the lowest percentage of the population vaccinated against covid-19, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) revealed for the first time, in data published in the Health Map.
In the Caribbean, until last February 22, the population vaccinated with the complete schedule —two or three doses— varied between 21 and 45%, while in the rest of the country it already exceeded 60%, according to data reported by the 19 Silais from Nicaragua, which were analyzed and compiled in the form of a database by CONFIDENTIAL.
The Minsa details that in the municipalities of Bilwi, Waspam and Prinzapolka, located in the North Caribbean, they have only managed to vaccinate, with one dose, 50.7% of the population. The percentage of inoculated with the complete scheme is only 21.8%, the lowest in Nicaragua.
The municipalities of La Cruz de Río Grande; The Tortuguero; Kukra Hill; Bluefields; Pearl Lagoon; the mouth of the Rio Grande; and Corn Island, which are part of the South Caribbean, the Minsa has already applied a first dose to 59.4% of its population, but only 38% have completed the scheme with a second dose.
In the municipalities of Bonanza, Rosita, Siuna, Mulukukú and Paiwas, which make up Silais-Las Minas, 76.6% of the population was vaccinated with one dose, but only 44.4% of them have already completed the vaccination schedule, according to the Health Map.
It is estimated that some 704,979 people live in the Caribbean of Nicaragua, including indigenous peoples and ethnic communities, according to official data from the National Institute of Development Information (Inide).
In addition, they are regions with the highest rates of poverty and face other complications and local epidemics such as malaria, which since 2020 has reported the highest number of infections in the last 20 years.
Matagalpa at the head of vaccination
Vaccination in Nicaragua shows an exponential advance since November 2021. After the country spent eight months in the queue for vaccination across the continent, due to the shortage of vaccines against covid-19, but after receiving more than nine million doses of donations and purchases, it was possible to streamline the application of doses throughout the territory.
According to the data, 97% of the population of Matagalpa —estimated at more than 670,000 inhabitants— have already received the first dose, and 76.9% have already completed the scheme. These figures place this department at the head of vaccination in the country.
The second department that reports the most progress is Nueva Segovia, with 95.1% of its population —some 275,291 people— with the first dose, and 74.2% with the complete scheme.
Carazo is placed in third place with 86.6% of its population with the first dose, and 71.4% with two.
The departments of Rivas, Masaya, Estelí, Madriz, Granada, León, Chontales and Jinotega have between 61 and 66% of their population fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, the number of people with a dose exceeds 80%.
Silais-Managua assures that 1.1 million vaccines against covid-19 have been applied in the capital. 88.9% of the population already has a dose, and 59.8% the complete scheme.
Boaco, Central Zelaya, Chinandega and Río San Juan have between 53 and 58% of their population with two doses.
One year after vaccination against covid-19 began in Nicaragua, the Minsa reported to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) that they have applied 9.6 million doses, of these 5.4 million are first doses and 4.1 second. It is unknown how many booster doses were applied, despite the fact that this has been applied since November 2021. With these figures, the country would have vaccinated 60% of the total population.
Minsa will apply fourth and fifth dose
This week, The Minsa started a new day of vaccination against covid-19in which they will apply two additional doses to people who completed their scheme in November 2021, the state spokesperson and vice president, Rosario Murillo, briefly announced.
“In March we started the voluntary general vaccination against covid-19, that general vaccination corresponding to the year 2022 and we are calling ourselves to present ourselves to the Health units to start that vaccination that is so important to protect us this year,” he said briefly this Wednesday. The first lady did not explain what the new vaccination schedule is, nor what vaccines will be applied, nor the reasons for this decision.
According to the information that is known, the people summoned to this new day are those who have three months or more of having completed their scheme and already have the reinforcement. This measure only applies to those over 18 years of age and excludes pregnant women.
Silais-Managua confirmed, on its social networks, that two additional doses of the Sputnik Light or AstraZeneca vaccines will be applied on this new day. In addition, they will receive a new vaccination card.
“We started the year, therefore we started a vaccination scheme that is two more doses. If you are already three months after your third booster dose, then you can get vaccinated and they will give you a new card. The vaccines that are being applied are Sputnik Light and AstraZeneca,” they said on their social networks.
