Peru Foreign Minister resigns Over Early Vaccination Scandal

Elizabeth Astete, Peru’s foreign minister has stepped down over a public backlash to politicians getting coronavirus jabs early.

Astete said the reactions to the revelation that former president Martin Vizcarra and his wife were vaccinated showed she had made a serious mistake. 

 The foreign minister in Peru’s transitional government, had a first dose of Chinese-produced Sinopharm on Jan. 22, she said Sunday. 

 She said it was offered to her after she came into contact with several people who tested positive for the new coronavirus. 

 Astete said the reactions to the revelation that former president Martin Vizcarra and his wife were vaccinated showed her she had made a serious mistake.

 The 68-year-old said she then decided not to get the second dose.

 In the last few days it emerged that Vizcarra, who was removed from his post last year over bribery accusations, and his wife had been vaccinated against the virus in October. 

AFP