The Government of Iran donated a total of 200,000 doses of Coviran Barekat vaccines against covid-19 to Nicaragua, as part of a health cooperation agreement between the two countries, Nicaraguan authorities reported this Friday.
The shipment with the Coviran Barekat vaccine is expected to arrive in Nicaragua next May. To date, it is known that the inoculant is only applied in that country and, unlike other drugs that are internationally recognized, it does not even have the endorsement of the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Many thanks to the Iranian people, to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Vice President-designate Rosario Murillo in her usual midday address.
The Iranian donation was disclosed after Nicaragua signed a tripartite agreement with the pharmaceutical company Barekat, and with the Iranian Ministry of Health, the Nicaraguan government reported through official media.
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Nicaragua is currently developing a national day of permanent vaccination against covid-19, which for the first time covers all ages from two years old, as well as the different groups of the population.
Little is known about the vaccine
Information on this Iranian vaccine is limited on the Internet. There are no further details of the percentage of its effectiveness and the adverse reactions it could cause, although the researchers of this vaccine assure that it has few and mild side effects.
The immunizer must be stored at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, which means that the cold chain of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) has the capacity to preserve them. In addition, the inoculant can remain stored for six months.
People over 18 years of age can apply the vaccine, which has a two-dose scheme, the second can be applied at an interval of 28 days.
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According to the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health, the covid-19 pandemic has left 228 dead and 18,310 infections since the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was detected in this country two years ago.
The official data does not coincide with that of the Covid-19 Citizen Observatory, a network of independent doctors that monitors the pandemic and reports 5,988 deaths from pneumonia and other symptoms related to the new coronavirus, as well as 32,110 suspected cases of contagion, numbers that the government does not recognize.
According to figures from the Government, which has not established restrictions to prevent the spread of covid-19, 65% of the population over two years of age already have the complete vaccination schedule, while 90% have at least one dose.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has reported that all variants of SARS-CoV-2 concern circulate in Nicaragua, mainly the omicron, data that local authorities have not confirmed.
Nicaragua and Iran are allied countries on international political issues.
