Chile Decides AZ Booster Shot for Sinovac Vaccinees... Breakthrough Infections Continue

Despite 65% Vaccination Completion Rate, Spread Intensifies
Sinovac Infection Prevention Effectiveness Drops to 58%

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Chile has announced a 'booster shot' plan to administer an additional dose of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine to those who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19. Chile had previously focused on administering the Chinese Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine from the early stages of the pandemic, completing two doses for over 60% of its population. However, due to low immunity effectiveness and frequent breakthrough infections, the spread of the virus has intensified.

According to foreign media including the AP on the 5th (local time), Chilean President Sebasti?n Pi?era stated in a press release that "starting on the 11th, booster shots of the AZ vaccine will be given to those who completed two doses of the Sinovac vaccine before March." Accordingly, the first booster shots will be administered starting with elderly people aged 86 and above, followed by those aged 55 and older. People under 55 will receive Pfizer booster shots starting in September.

Chile has previously boasted one of the fastest vaccination rates in Latin America and worldwide. So far, 72% of the population has received at least one dose, and more than 65% have completed two doses. However, as the effectiveness of Sinovac was revealed to be very low and the spread intensified due to successive breakthrough infections, the country has actively implemented the booster shot policy.

According to Chilean health authorities, the effectiveness of Sinovac in preventing COVID-19 infection dropped to 58.5% from February to last month this year. Similarly, Uruguay, where the Sinovac vaccination rate exceeds 70%, has also decided to administer booster shots to Sinovac vaccine recipients.