The Covid-19 vaccine arrives in Panama

6,420 People have received the first dose of the vaccine for Covid-19 in Panama. The first shipment of vaccines Panama received was from Pfizer / BioNTech.

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All those who receive the vaccine (included in stage one of the vaccination plan for Panama) are frontline workers in the medical field. 

12,840 doses of the Pfizer / BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine arrive in Panama

While Panama expected more than the 12,840 doses that arrived from Pfizer / BioNtech in mid-January 2020,  Panama received a smaller shipment due to "production problems."

Panama aims to buy 5.5 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine from three labs 

With hopes that "the supply will be regularized" after February 15th, Panama aims to receive 3 million more doses of Pfizer immunizers in the contract signed for $36 million.

Panama aims to acquire 5.5 million doses from three laboratories, for which it will pay $55 million.


Cortizo, Panama Vaccine Team & the CON meet address Vaccine roll out in Panama 

January 11, 2021, it was stated in a meeting between the president of Panama, Panama’s vaccine team, and the center of operations for national health  (CON), that "Panama will acquire a total of 5.5 million doses of the vaccine from Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies, starting with the first phase of 450 thousand doses that guarantee the vaccination of 225 thousand people in the first quarter of the year, in accordance with the contract." (source: presidencia.gob.pa/)

Covid-19 Vaccines to arrive February 2020 in Panama from Pfizer-BioNTech 


The Health Ministry authorities in Panama expect the next batch of Pfizer-BioNTech to arrive in February after the company resumes shipments in the middle of that month.

Panama announces they will receive Covid-19 vaccines from British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca 

The Panamanian government will also acquire vaccines from British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in association with Oxford University; Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals; and it is also part of the Covax mechanism.

Pharmaceutical AstraZeneca-Oxford University submitted the vaccine for evaluation at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and a decision is expected by January 29.

Panama’s Vaccination strategy 

Panama has release two phases within each phase there are two stages. 

Phase one Stage 1 A 
- Health workers and front-line workers in the private and public sector.
- Adults over 60 bedridden in nursing homes and homes

Phase one Stage 1 B

- Other health workers not prioritized in state 1A, en the public and private sector. 

- Essential groups on the frontline like police, SINAPROC, firefighters, and red cross among others. 

- The general population older than 16 with a handicap that has been certified in SENADIS before the 31st of December 2020. 

- Garbage authority. 

Phase two Stage 2 A 

- General population over 60 years. 

- General population between 16 and 59 years with chronic illness. 

Phase two Stage 2 B

- teachers and administration in schools and universities public and private. 

- comprehensive Care Centers to Early Childhood (CAIPIS)

As U.S. citizens over 60 are you eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Panama? 

The United States Government states that they do not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to U.S. citizens overseas and to follow the host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination. At this time Panama has not released more information on "Phase two" in the vaccination plan. Check here for updates. 

Will my insurance cover the Covid-19 vaccine in Panama? 

Once eligibility for the Covid-19 vaccine opens up, and the vaccine is more readily available in Panama, likely the answer is yes. However, It depends on your provider and plan, like any insurance "am I covered question" the answer depends on your coverage.

 BMI is one of several insurance companies that has come out to say they will cover the cost of the vaccine administration (as long as the vaccine administered is approved and controlled by the FDA). We expect more information to be released on this matter from other companies as the vaccination plan rolls out. 

If you have questions about your health coverage in Panama, J2L insurance has answers. No matter your provider we can help mitigate exposure and ensure you have the best coverage available in uncertain times.

Email: j2lasesores@gmail.com

Call/ WhatsApp: 507 6206-4523

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