Argentina, one of the first nations to utilize Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine broadly, has increased pressure on Moscow over delays in receiving second doses, which are delaying the South American country’s vaccination program, Reuters reports.
The government of Argentina wrote to the Russian government firm RDIF on July 7 to request component 2 doses of the vaccine, which are separate from the first dosage, and to warn that the supply deal was in jeopardy.
Argentina, which has a population of around 45 million people, has given out 22.9 million initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but only 5.8 million have received two doses, one of the region’s worst gaps between first and second shots.
Though it has lately tried to alter local regulations to allow additional vaccinations to enter from the United States and has locked up a significant agreement with Moderna Inc., the country was an early and important champion for the use of the Sputnik V vaccine.
On Thursday, Health Minister Carla Vizzotti acknowledged the letter to radio station El Destape, saying it was standard procedure to press suppliers to assist guarantee contracts were fulfilled. She said that the “pressure” had aided in the speeding up of the process.
