Wider COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Expected Till March

As December approaches, the main Christmas wish seems to be a COVID-19 vaccine. Despite distribution limitations, this vaccine will be a crucial step for science, economy and even humanity, as Pfizer’s General Director said. Mexico has signed many agreements to get the vaccines but the road is still opening to get more doses and manufacture or package them here.

Here is the Week in Health!

NATIONAL

-The Senate has approved the regular use of cannabis in Mexico. This statement means positive news for its medicinal applications. While decriminalized since 2017, the regulation for medical use and its now legal status open a door for its regulated use and market exploitation.

-Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard announced via Twitter that the Pfizer vaccine could be available in Mexico in December of this year, depending on COFEPRIS’ approval. According to the statement, the Ministry of Health is already working on a vaccine distribution plan.

Ebrard also announced the intentions of CanSino Biologics to package its COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico once the development has been proved. This process is similar to the one AstraZeneca and Liomont will follow once their vaccine is ready.

-Minister of Finance and Public Credit Arturo Herrera has warned the population about the limitations to reach every citizen with a vaccine. The number of doses guaranteed at first will be limited and will be applied “moderately.” Herrera said that this scenario will change in March, when the vaccines from the COVAX agreement arrive to the country.

-According to a Bloomberg study comparing 53 nations, Mexico was ranked as the worst place to live in during the pandemic. Read our article to find out why.

-The Director General of IMSS announced that on behalf of the federal government, families who experienced a loss from COVID-19 will receive a MX$11,460 (US$571.38) compensation to contribute to funerary expenses.

-Governor of Mexico City Claudia Sheinbaum announced the new testing options the city will offer to detect COVID-19. The new antigen tests have been introduced as a way to detect the virus faster and avoid contagions. This test delivers results in half an hour and will be available starting next Monday.

INTERNATIONAL

-AstraZeneca/Oxford’s joint venture for a COVID-19 vaccine said their development has 70-90 perfect effectiveness according to preliminary results of its Phase 3 clinical trials. Two of the main advantages of this development are the storage temperature, which oscillates around -2°C to -8 °C and the price, which is expected to be less than US$10.

-Pfizer and the US government announced that a vaccine could be available in the country by December 11, depending on FDA’s approval for emergency use.

-Scotland is the first country to offer free menstrual products. Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that she is “proud to vote for this groundbreaking act, which makes Scotland the first country in the world to provide free menstrual products to all those in need.”

-WHO does not recommend the use of Remdesivir to treat COVID-19 patients. On October, the FDA approved the use of this drug to treat COVID-19 patients needing hospitalization. After reviewing results, WHO determined that there is not enough data evidencing Remdesivir’s effectiveness on improving the condition of a hospitalized patient. Experts on the subject and WHO officials have said this is expected as data is being collected daily on a very fast-changing environment.