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   - Photo via Social Security - |
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Published on Wednesday, September 22,
2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff As
of Tuesday, 5,278,407 vaccines against
covid-19 were applied in Costa Rica,
reaching a national vaccination rate of 94
per 100 inhabitants, according to the
Vaccine National Information System report.
Of these, 3,274,461 people have received their first dose, approximately 63% of the country's population. And 2,003,946 people have completed their two-dose treatment, approximately 38% of the population, including 15,712 people who received the covid-19 vaccine abroad. At least 83% of the population, about 4,274,344 million people in Costa Rica, must be fully vaccinated to keep infections down and achieve herd immunity, according to Social Security. Currently, the vaccination campaign is focused on nationals, residency DIMEX cardholders and immigrants over the age of 18. Also, Social Security is providing free vaccination against covid-19 to some foreigners who do not yet have their DIMEX. The vaccination campaign is available in public hospitals, clinics, some universities and commercial centers. But authorities are advising people eligible to get the vaccine to first stop-by their local public clinic, known as Ebais, to get information on the vaccination program for that specific area or by calling the Social Security Covid line 905-225-2000. According to Social Security statistics, of the infected people who are in intensive care units rooms, 88.3% are not vaccinated against the virus or had not complied with the full two-vaccination schedule. The data is as of Sept. 14 with a sample of 1,312 people in hospitals, of which 821 were admitted to the recovery room and 491 in intensive care rooms. Only 11.7% of those in intensive care rooms had the full two-dose vaccination schedule, they said.  In August, the government announced a plan to provide free booster vaccines against covid-19 to a certain group of adults and children.  As of Friday, Costa Rica has imported 6,218,205 vaccines against covid-19. However, the virus continues advancing in the country. On Tuesday the health authorities reported 93,557 active covid-19 cases. Of the total 513,384 cases detected since last year, there were 6,098 deaths listed as covid-19 related, approximately a 1.2% death rate, according to the statistics, which can be found on the Health Ministry website. The pandemic has killed more than 4.7 million people at a global level, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. ---------------------
What have you heard about expats having a hard time getting the vaccine in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com            
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