Coronavirus: Alberto Fernández will dialogue with Díaz Canel to advance in negotiation of Cuban vaccine

It is an idea of ​​Felipe Solá that Alberto Fernández validated without hesitation. Then the Minister of Foreign Affairs met Pedro Prada Quintero, Cuban Ambassador to Argentina, who explained the scientific situation of vaccines Sovereign 2 and Abdala against COVID-19 that they are trying to produce in their country. And finally, Carla Vizzotti received Prada Quintero to advance a roadmap that should lead to a new vaccine supplier for Argentina.

The opening of diplomatic and health talks between Argentina and Cuba confirms Alberto Fernández’s institutional decision to negotiate with all companies and states capable of providing millions of doses against the Coronavirus in a market strangled by the absence of large-scale production and the hoarding policy of the most powerful countries.

The government’s plan for the possible acquisition of the Soberana 2 and Abdala vaccines uses the same instrumental logic applied in the Sputnik V negotiations. Alberto Fernández allowed Carla Vizzotti – then Deputy Minister of Health – and Cecilia Nicolini – presidential adviser – to start discussions in Buenos Aires, then to travel to Moscow to visit the laboratories that manufacture the Russian vaccine.

Alberto Fernández closed the negotiations with Vladimir Putin, who promised to respect the delivery deadlines and the scientific certification of Sputnik V. And when the vaccines did not arrive on time, the president contacted the Kremlin again to request that the vaccine supply be regular and bulky.

The eventual purchase of Sovereign vaccines is in the political decision category. Alberto Fernández now needs the technical reports of Cuban scientists to reach ANMAT and the Ministry of Health, which Vizzotti then makes a situation report and that – if necessary – there is a trip to Havana to visit the laboratories and start defining the logistics for transporting vaccines to Buenos Aires.

“Soberana is a protein made from tetanus toxoid; It is a protein used for tetanus, except the COVID-19 protein is added. It seems that the results are good, but phase 3 is just beginning, it will take time, ”explained Lautaro de Vedia, infectologist and member of the Argentine Society of Infectology (SADI).

Vizzotti has already seen the roadmap for achieving the purchase and application of COVID-19 vaccines. In this context, The Minister of Health has committed with Ambassador Prada Quintero to organize a meeting with the National Vaccination Commission (CONAIN) to review the scientific details of Soberana 2 and Abdala, which are the most advanced Cuban vaccines in technical research.

During, Solá is preparing a zoom between Alberto Fernández and Díaz Canel, in charge of the Cuban regime. The intention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to ensure that the conversation takes place in the coming days, pending the technical reports that ANMAT and the Health portfolio must analyze.

Alberto Fernández has a good personal relationship with Díaz Canel, and they still remember with pride in Havana that he gave the Cuban leader his first hearing at the head of state.. This happened on the morning of December 11, 2019, when the President was moving into Casa Rosada, and COVID-19 was a nightmare that awaited us in the imperfect future.

If the negotiations between Alberto Fernández and Díaz Canel prosper and the ANMAT and the Ministry of Health authorize the application of Soberana 2 and Abdala, Cuban vaccines would arrive in early spring.

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