Some Yucatán residents between 18 and 29 are next in line for the coronavirus shot.
On Saturday, the vaccination against COVID-19 will begin with the state’s youngest cohort yet. The program begins in 10 municipalities, and they will be given the Chinese Sinovac drug.
Mérida, the state’s capital and largest city, is not on the list.
The two-dose Sinovac is approved by the World Health Organization, although its effectiveness is questioned when compared to AstraZeneca or Pfizer, which other age groups have received. One advantage of the Sinovac vaccine is that it doesn’t require a deep freeze for storage.
However, more recent studies indicate Sinovac may require an additional booster after 12 months after the second dose.
The Yucatán health ministry announced the following first-dose schedule:
Saturday: Sucilá, Sudzal, Uayma, Yaxkukul, Yobaín, Bokobá, Cantamayec, Chumayel, Sanahcat and Baca
Monday: Valladolid, Progreso, Tekax, Chemax, Ticul, Oxkutzcab, Motul, Hunucmá, Izamal and Peto
Tuesday: Maxcanú, Halachado, Espita, Tecoh, Temozón, Tixkokob, Yaxcabá, Acanceh, Tzucacab and Muna
Wednesday: Akil, Tinum, Tekit, Conkal, Chichimilá, Seyé and Dzilam González
Aid from Japan
Japan’s federal humanitarian agency is boosting ICU capacity at the O’Horán hospital in Mérida and the general hospital in Valladolid.
O’Horán received more beds and medical care for its Covid care unit and new medical equipment will be installed for five of them.
In Valladolid, medical equipment will be installed at six intensive care beds. Both hospitals will receive monitoring through a Telemedicine system donated by the government of Japan.
Japan is also donating mobile digital X-ray machines, electrocardiograms, mobile ventilators, central monitors, analyzers, gas monitors, blood test kits, defibrillators, and oxygen flow meters.
The donation is valued at 114 million pesos — the US equivalent of $5.7 million.
