With CABEI financial support, 3.27 million Nicaraguans to be vaccinated against COVID-19

Tegucigalpa, April 27, 2021.- A total of 6.86 million vaccines against COVID-19, equivalent to the vaccination of 3.27 million Nicaraguans, will be purchased with US$100.0 million in financing approved by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) for the Republic of Nicaragua.

This operation will cover 69.2% of the population prioritized in the implementation of the country's COVID-19 Vaccination Deployment Plan, whose objective is to vaccinate approximately 4.7 million inhabitants and reduce the mortality rate, in addition to covering all of its components.

Among the components of the Vaccination Plan financed by CABEI in Nicaragua are the acquisition of vaccines and supplies for their application; the diagnostic and vaccination process, which includes the reinforcement of the cold chain through the purchase of equipment; the strengthening of the capacities of the National Reference Diagnostic Center (CNDR); as well as supervision and auditing by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF); in addition to coverage for possible unforeseen events.

"CABEI reaffirms to its member countries that this is the Bank of Central America. CABEI has made US$800.0 million available to the countries of the region to support the vaccination processes in each country. Nicaragua is the third country, after Costa Rica and Honduras, to request this thematic financing for the acquisition and application of the vaccine, which has very favorable conditions given that this is such a sensitive public health issue," explained CABEI Executive President, Dr. Dante Mossi.

                                                                                                                                                  The COVID-19 Vaccination Deployment Plan in Nicaragua is divided into stages, segmenting the population by priority groups. It is expected that the vaccines acquired with CABEI financing will be applied to workers at border points, teachers, tourism professionals and other institutions; in addition to risk groups between 40 and 59 years of age (50% of the target population) and 18 and 39 years of age (20% of the target population). Depending on the progress of the COVID-19 Vaccination Deployment Plan, it will also be possible to benefit the prioritized general population.

The loan is part of the Emergency COVID-19 Support and Preparedness Program and CABEI Economic Reactivation Program in accordance with the Institutional Strategy 2020-2024 and the Institution's Environmental and Social Strategy for the same period.

This financing is for a 20-year term, including a grace period of up to five years, with an indicative interest rate of 1.96% and with favorable financial conditions thanks to the issuance of the thematic bond by the CABEI for the purchase of vaccines and its high credit rating, the best in Latin America.