Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico – Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez announced on Friday, January 5 the acquisition of 50,000 Moderna vaccines, becoming the first state in Mexico to prioritize the WHO-approved Spikevax booster for vulnerable populations.
This marks a departure from the federal government’s continued use of Abdala and Sputnik vaccines, neither of which have WHO backing. “Our position has been clear,” Alfaro Ramírez stated. “We will not use vaccines that lack international approval.”
The 30 million peso investment targets Jalisco residents most susceptible to severe COVID-19 outcomes, including elderly care home residents, children in foster care, and individuals with chronic health conditions. Vaccinations begin January 16th and will be administered through state health services, following registration on the state platform of the Jalisco Vaccination Model.
Why Moderna’s Spikevax?
Anna Bárbara Casillas, General Strategic Coordinator of the Social Cabinet, explained that recent authorization from the Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) paved the way for the acquisition of the Spikevax vaccine in Mexico. The authorization also included the Comirnaty vaccine from Pfizer.
These latest-generation boosters specifically target the XBB.1.5 subvariant, currently driving global case surges. The boosters strengthen immunity from previous vaccinations or infections, reducing the likelihood of serious illness and death.
Utilizing health centers, hospitals, and vaccination brigades during the critical weeks from January 16 to March 2024, this groundbreaking initiative aligns Jalisco with global health standards, offering a crucial shield to the most susceptible members of the community during the remainder of the winter period.