Peru's foreign minister steps down over 'secret vaccination' of government officials

Amid nationwide stir and condemnation over government officials getting ‘secretly vaccinated’ against COVID-19, Peru's foreign minister on Monday announced her resignation. Elizabeth Astete stepped down over increased public angst and outrage for disregarding planned coronavirus inoculation campaign for frontline health workers, after 1 million of total 23.1 million doses of Pfizer vaccines, procured by country, arrived last week. Ahe of Peru’s initiative to minister jabs to 31.9 million population, a report of government scandal emerged after former President Martín Vizcarra, dismissed from Congress last year in November over corruption allegations, told a local newspaper that he h received Sinopharm vaccine ‘secretly’. 

President of Peru, Francisco Sagasti, told local television channel America that his finance minister Astete has resigned following a report about “ jeopardy to enormous effort of many Peruvians working on front line against COVID.” Sources of Associated Press confirmed that Peruvian leer acknowledged citizens’ anger regarding unexpected situation, furr stating, that health minister Pilar Mazzetti, also resigned last week for concealing information after incident came to legislators' notice.

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[Peru's first 1 million doses of vaccines arrive at airport. Credit: Twitter/@FSagasti]

[Credit: Twitter/@FSagasti]

“I can assure you that this decision will not affect arrival of committed vaccines or ongoing negotiations to guarantee vaccines for all Peruvians, for which our government will continue to work tirelessly,” Peru’s President said on Twitter, amid speculations about vaccination campaign being affected due to corruption.

Outgoing finance minister apologizes

Peruvian President, Francisco Sagasti,  assured citizens, saying, “All agreements on clinical trials with vaccines in Peru were me prior to Transitional and Emergency Government that I have honour to preside,” furr indicating that his government, more than ever, was focused on “transparency and firmness.” He informed, that resignation for health minister was handed to vice minister of public health, Luis Suárez Ognio, and he received Chancellor Elizabeth Astete's letter of resignation, on February 15.

Sagasti furr announced Health Minister Oscar Ugarte as new health minister, ditionally dismissing all ministers who secretly received Chinese jab. A probe was underway to identify all politicians who were vaccinated in month of September with first dose of Sinopharm vaccine, according to sources of Associated Press. outgoing finance minister, Astete, apologized for taking due on Jan. 22. “I am aware of serious mistake I me, which is why I decided not to receive second dose,” she said. 

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