In Vaccine Race, Middle Income Nations Are At A Disadvantage. Just Ask Peru.

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A COVID-19 patient in the intensive care unit of the Alberto Sabogal Sologuren Hospital, in Lima. Peru has tightened a lockdown in part because ICU beds have been filling to capacity.

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At the front of Peru’s Medical Council Headquarters in Lima, a memorial has been set up for the more than 270 physicians who died caring for COVID-19 patients.

Ernesto J Ortiz, MD,MPH for NPR

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Ernesto J Ortiz, MD,MPH for NPR

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Due to the increased demand for oxygen for COVID patients, supplies have run low. Hospitals ask the friends and family of patients to wait in line to refill tanks. Above: an oxygen tank line in Lima.

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Worshippers pray in the streets of Lima. A government lockdown has shutdown churches as well as businesses to try to stop the spread of the virus.

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Members of a Chinese medical delegation arrive at the Lima airport with COVID vaccines for part of a clinical trial this fall. Peru hosted trials for several manufacturers in part to increase its chances of getting access to a successful inoculation.

Cesar Barreto/AP

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As part of a clinical trial in Peru, a health worker prepares to inoculate a volunteer with a COVID-19 vaccine produced by the Chinese company Sinopharm.

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Francisco Sagasti, center with black mask, leaves the Congress in November after being chosen as the country’s interim President. Sagasti was the third president in the span of a week. Political instability has hampered Peru’s efforts to get vaccines.

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Francisco Sagasti, center with black mask, leaves the Congress in November after being chosen as the country’s interim President. Sagasti was the third president in the span of a week. Political instability has hampered Peru’s efforts to get vaccines.

Luka Gonzales/AFP via Getty Images

As President Sagasti said over the weekend, Peruvians have lost more than just loved ones and jobs to the pandemic. «We have also lost the freedom to hug each other, to hold hands, to visit our friends and family, the president said. «It’s difficult, I admit it. He promised that Peru will get the vaccines it needs to immunize its entire population by the end of 2021. His ability to keep that promise could depend on companies outside of Peru and forces outside of Peru’s control.