Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has signed an agreement with Mexico-based Slim Foundation to produce its coronavirus vaccine for the entirety of Latin America, with the exception of Brazil.
Between 150 and 250 million vaccine doses should be available by early 2021, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez announced on Wednesday evening.
"The laboratory (AstraZeneca) has signed an agreement with the Slim Foundation to produce between 150 to 250 million vaccines destined for all of Latin America, with the exception of Brazil," Fernandez said.
"They are going to be available for the first semester of 2021. They will be fairly distributed between countries in accordance to demand and the requests by governments from each of these countries."
Fernandez added: "Latin American production will be the responsibility of Argentina and Mexico and it will allow a fair access to the vaccine for all countries in the region."
The Argentinian leader said the price of the vaccine would be between $3 and $4 per dose, adding that this was "significant for Latin America because it allows all our countries to be able to get [the vaccine.]"
AstraZeneca's vaccine candidate is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials.