According to data published by Our World in Data Costa Rica’s ratio of Covid-19 vaccinated population is 4.8 per 100 inhabitants, slightly under the world average of 5 per every 100. The country registers over 250 thousand vaccines applied, 77% of which correspond to first doses while 23% to second doses.

On March 23 Costa Rica received the biggest lot of vaccines yet, a total of 119 thousand doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. With the arrival of this lot, the country has received so far 670 thousand vaccines.

Israel continues leading the ratio of vaccinations in the world with 109,7 doses per every 100 inhabitants.

President Carlos Alvarado urged the health authorities to intensify the application of vaccines during the Holy Week and the upcoming weeks to protect senior citizens from an expected new wave of Covid-19 cases. Intensifying the rhythm of vaccination, however, poses a risk in the event of possible delays in the delivery of new lots.

“We are clearly undertaking a risk in the event of delays or suspensions in the delivery of vaccines by pharmaceutical companies, however, in the prevention of an imminent third wave of cases, it is important to weight the pros and cons and accelerate the rhythm of vaccination for the senior population, hoping they are already protected when this new wave hits, especially considering the existence of new variants of the virus in the country”, explained Daniel Salas, Minister of Health.

Costa Rica signed contracts with Pfizer, AstraZeneca and COVAX and purchased enough doses to cover three and a half million citizens in 2021 which would cover 96% of the adult population.

As of last Friday, March 26th, the country had registered 215,178 confirmed cases of Covid-19, out of which 119,707 have recovered; 2,931 people have died. Currently, 303 people remain hospitalized, 155 of them in intensive care.