Ecuador, the Country that Vanquished the Nightmare Pandemic in 100 Days

Plan 9/100

The Ecuadorian government set an ambitious target: vaccinate 9 million people in just 100 days. To achieve this, it engaged in "vaccine diplomacy," obtaining a variety of vaccines through multiple channels to meet needs.

The Ecuadorian government invested an estimated US$ 320 million in vaccines from different laboratories, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca Sinovac and CanSino. The United States, China, Canada, Spain and Chile, among others, responded in solidarity to Ecuador's call for help in procuring vaccines.

The government deployed 1,700 health brigades and opened 520 vaccination centers throughout the country. It also worked with 3,100 private companies, universities, armed and security forces, firefighters, the Red Cross and local governments to coordinate activities. Through "vaccination days," Ecuador increased daily vaccinations from 80,000 to 414,000.

We managed to unite everyone around a single goal: to save lives,said Ecuadorian Health Minister Ximena Garzn.The Armed Forces were key for reaching remote areas, and private enterprises made their logistical capacity available, as did universities, unions, local governments and the entire ministerial cabinet. This has been the largest social mobilization in Ecuadors history.

According to Our World Data, in July and August, Ecuador had one of the worlds highest daily rates of vaccine doses administered for every 100 people.

Ecuador also worked with multilateral organizations, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and United Nations organizations such as UNICEF, WHO/PAHO and UNHCR, whose experience, coupled with the government's determination to achieve coordinated targets, resulted in an effective, rapid vaccination campaign.

Adrian Daz, the PAHO/WHO representative in Ecuador, shared that During ongoing weekly meetings, aid workers and the Ministry of Public Health share information on plan implementation, identify critical issues that arise and develop responses and solutions to advance the objectives and targets of COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

During the first week of September, the government announced that it had met the target of vaccinating 9 million people in 100 days. Ecuador went from being one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic to becoming an example for the world. This success story would have been impossible without the massive turnout of the population.

Since September, most economic activities have begun to resume normally; students are progressively returning to classrooms; public transport has increased to 100 percent capacity; and some entertainment venues are opening their doors to the public. In recent weeks, healthcare centers and hospitals have reported empty intensive care units, and the government has closed temporary hospitals and healthcare centers. On some days, no COVID-19 deaths are reported.

Ecuador was one of the first countries to receive World Bank funds to respond to the health emergency, and later for the vaccination process. Additionally, we have joined forces to support the most vulnerable groups through social protection programs, and to promote economic recovery,said Marianne Fay, World Bank director for Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru.

Currently, the country is vaccinating the population aged 12 to 18 years. Starting in October, children aged 6 and over will also be vaccinated. Through this effort, by year-end, the government expects to have vaccinated most of the Ecuadorian population against COVID-19.

Although the virus is still present, the political will of a government, the collaboration of other nations and multilateral organizations, the actions of different civil society actors and the organized collaboration of the population are key factors in the success of the vaccination process in Ecuador. Other countries of the region and the world can replicate this model.

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Ecuador, the Country that Vanquished the Nightmare Pandemic in 100 Days