Honduras to receive additional Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccines
Honduras will receive a 20,000 jab shipment of the Sputnik V vaccine from Moscow today.
On March 4, Honduras purchased 4.2 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine—enough to fully vaccinate 20% of the population—but supply issues have substantially delayed delivery. Today’s shipment totals just 60,000 jabs, or 1.4%, of the total 4.2 million expected from Russia.
Honduras’ total number of COVID-19 cases is trending towards exponential growth this year. Delays in procurement of the Sputnik V vaccine—nearly half the cost of the Pfizer alternative and popular in developing countries—has substantially slowed Honduras’ vaccination rollout. Delays between the first and second dose, which is approaching three months, are also raising concerns about the efficacy of the vaccine.
Russia recently announced solutions to vaccine supplies and the ability for the two Sputnik V doses to be administered up to 180 days apart, but countries are still leery. Some countries, like Guatemala have even cancelled their Sputnik V purchases over these concerns. Short-term Honduras and other invested countries are likely to wait for Russian supplies, but medium-term if the vaccine is further delayed, expect Honduras and others to turn to Pfizer to address their immediate need for vaccinations.
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