Panama will receive first COVID-19 vaccine doses this month, minister says

FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker measures the temperatures of travelers at the Tocumen International Airport during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Panama City, Panama October 16, 2020. Picture taken October 16, 2020. REUTERS/Erick Marciscano/File Photo

Panama will receive its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech, totaling 40,000 doses, later this month, Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes said on Monday.

"We have confirmation that between Jan. 18 and 25 we'll receive 40,000 doses for our country," Mouynes said during a televised press conference.

FILE PHOTO: People wear protective masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Panama City, Panama March 12, 2020. REUTERS/Erick Marciscano

(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by Chris Reese and Rosalba O'Brien)