SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chile’s rapid rapid vaccination program has reached the frozen shores of Antarctica, officials and researchers told Reuters on Wednesday, bringing a sense of relief to one of the most isolated and vulnerable outposts on Earth.
The pandemic hit Antarctica in December, becoming the last of the world’s continents to report an outbreak of COVID-19. Chilean health and military officials rushed to remove staff from a remote region with limited medical facilities.
Marcela Andrade, an official at the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH), told Reuters by telephone that air force personnel, followed by the staff of the Professor Julio Escudero research base, were inoculated on Sunday with a vaccine from Sinovac Biotech Ltd.
She said the scare of the outbreak a few months ago was well managed, but recalled the importance of rapid vaccination in such a remote and unforgivable location.
“It’s a relief,” said Andrade, who said workers in the remote region were at particular risk. “We do not have flights or ships that leave here every day. It is complicated to carry people who (are sick) or a risk to others. ”
The base is located on the remote King George Island, the largest of the Shetland Islands off the coast of Antarctica. Researchers consider several species of fish-eating seals, penguins and seabirds to be the closest neighbors.
Chile has thrown itself in front of many Latin America and the world in its vaccination program and inoculated most of its health workers, military and elderly. But an increase in contagions nationwide has brought hospitals close to collapse and forced new traffic restrictions. (Chart: tmsnrt.rs/34pvUyi)
Andrade said Chile’s decision to vaccinate Antarctic workers was much appreciated and timely. She said a shift of workers is scheduled to leave for the mainland in mid-April and will breathe easier with the vaccine in place.
“Looking at the situation in the country and in the world, it is a total relief to return to the continent with a little protection,” she said.
Reporting by Dave Sherwood; Edited by Lisa Shumaker