COVID-19 in Latin America: A Snapshot in Time and the Road Ahead
Abstract Since its initial detection in Brazil in February 2020, SARS-CoV-2 and the associated COVID-19 pandemic have continued to devastate Latin America. Specific comorbidities, as well as sociodemographic and lifestyle factors that may be more prevalent in underserved areas, have been identified...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Adis, Springer Healthcare
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Infectious Diseases and Therapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-022-00748-z |
| _version_ | 1797863938707161088 |
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| author | Jorge LaRotta Omar Escobar María L. Ávila-Aguero Juan Pablo Torres Rodrigo Sini de Almeida Graciela del Carmen Morales Amit Srivastava |
| author_facet | Jorge LaRotta Omar Escobar María L. Ávila-Aguero Juan Pablo Torres Rodrigo Sini de Almeida Graciela del Carmen Morales Amit Srivastava |
| author_sort | Jorge LaRotta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Since its initial detection in Brazil in February 2020, SARS-CoV-2 and the associated COVID-19 pandemic have continued to devastate Latin America. Specific comorbidities, as well as sociodemographic and lifestyle factors that may be more prevalent in underserved areas, have been identified as risk factors for COVID-19 infection or associated adverse outcomes. Dynamics of infections and deaths in Latin America have varied by country and temporally, as has SARS-CoV-2 variant prevalence; however, more recently, the Delta and subsequent Omicron variants have become ubiquitous. Successful pandemic responses have involved robust infection mitigation measures, testing, and smart deployment of healthcare resourcing. While in some Latin American countries up to 90% of the population is fully vaccinated (i.e., 2 doses) against COVID-19, other countries have failed to reach the World Health Organization’s 70% target. Continued focus on comprehensive surveillance, strategies to maximize vaccine availability and uptake, and mitigation of collateral damage on other aspects of public health and social services are critical for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. This review summarizes the COVID-19 experience in Latin America, including epidemiology and vaccination. Key learnings and future considerations for the ongoing pandemic response are also discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:44:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-47fc6b0b0bbc40128c25058edcc494a7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2193-8229 2193-6382 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:44:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Adis, Springer Healthcare |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infectious Diseases and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-47fc6b0b0bbc40128c25058edcc494a72023-03-22T11:56:37ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareInfectious Diseases and Therapy2193-82292193-63822023-01-0112238941010.1007/s40121-022-00748-zCOVID-19 in Latin America: A Snapshot in Time and the Road AheadJorge LaRotta0Omar Escobar1María L. Ávila-Aguero2Juan Pablo Torres3Rodrigo Sini de Almeida4Graciela del Carmen Morales5Amit Srivastava6Vaccines Medical and Scientific Affairs, Pfizer SASVaccines Medical and Scientific Affairs, Pfizer SASPediatric Infectious Diseases, Hospital Nacional de NiñosDepartamento de Pediatría y Cirugía Infantil Oriente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de ChileMedical and Scientific Affairs Latin America, Pfizer IncEmerging Markets Medical Affairs, Vaccines, Pfizer IncVaccines, Medical Development, Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Pfizer IncAbstract Since its initial detection in Brazil in February 2020, SARS-CoV-2 and the associated COVID-19 pandemic have continued to devastate Latin America. Specific comorbidities, as well as sociodemographic and lifestyle factors that may be more prevalent in underserved areas, have been identified as risk factors for COVID-19 infection or associated adverse outcomes. Dynamics of infections and deaths in Latin America have varied by country and temporally, as has SARS-CoV-2 variant prevalence; however, more recently, the Delta and subsequent Omicron variants have become ubiquitous. Successful pandemic responses have involved robust infection mitigation measures, testing, and smart deployment of healthcare resourcing. While in some Latin American countries up to 90% of the population is fully vaccinated (i.e., 2 doses) against COVID-19, other countries have failed to reach the World Health Organization’s 70% target. Continued focus on comprehensive surveillance, strategies to maximize vaccine availability and uptake, and mitigation of collateral damage on other aspects of public health and social services are critical for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. This review summarizes the COVID-19 experience in Latin America, including epidemiology and vaccination. Key learnings and future considerations for the ongoing pandemic response are also discussed.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-022-00748-zBBIBP-CorVBNT162b2ChAdOx1 nCoV-19COVID-19EpidemiologyGam-COVID-Vac |
| spellingShingle | Jorge LaRotta Omar Escobar María L. Ávila-Aguero Juan Pablo Torres Rodrigo Sini de Almeida Graciela del Carmen Morales Amit Srivastava COVID-19 in Latin America: A Snapshot in Time and the Road Ahead Infectious Diseases and Therapy BBIBP-CorV BNT162b2 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 COVID-19 Epidemiology Gam-COVID-Vac |
| title | COVID-19 in Latin America: A Snapshot in Time and the Road Ahead |
| title_full | COVID-19 in Latin America: A Snapshot in Time and the Road Ahead |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19 in Latin America: A Snapshot in Time and the Road Ahead |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19 in Latin America: A Snapshot in Time and the Road Ahead |
| title_short | COVID-19 in Latin America: A Snapshot in Time and the Road Ahead |
| title_sort | covid 19 in latin america a snapshot in time and the road ahead |
| topic | BBIBP-CorV BNT162b2 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 COVID-19 Epidemiology Gam-COVID-Vac |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-022-00748-z |
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