Analysis: Collapsed health system makes Venezuela vaccination campaign an uphill battle
FILE PHOTO: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a ceremony marking the opening of the new court term in Caracas, Venezuela January 22, 2021. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero/File Photo reuters_tickers
This content was published on February 12, 2021 - 16:19
February 12, 2021 - 16:19
By Brian Ellsworth and Vivian Sequera
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's deteriorated health system and collapsed economy will make the country one of the toughest places in the region to conduct a coronavirus vaccination campaign, an effort that already trails most of South America, experts said.
The country has one of the region's lowest coverage rates for even basic vaccines, according to regional health figures, driven by years of blackouts, loss of medical personnel and decay of local clinics that are crucial for such campaigns.