Concerns Rise Over COVID-19 Vaccine availability as Uptake Slows
A declining rate of COVID-19 vaccinations, coupled with reports of expired doses and a planned end to the winter campaign, is raising questions about the future availability of the vaccine. While officials state the vaccine was accessible throughout the 7-month winter campaign, clinics and municipalities are reportedly facing issues with supply.
As of this report, 719,369 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine out of a total population of 3,988,537, representing 18.04% coverage.Vaccination rates are higher among those with chronic pathologies, with 22% having been vaccinated.Health workers also show stronger uptake, with 26% coverage in the public sector (96,052 professionals vaccinated) and 28% in the private sector (37,492 people immunized).
However, a specialist at an unnamed clinic warns that waning immunity is a growing concern. “Susceptible people begin to accumulate. A longer time from the last dose, less memory antibodies are generated and the risk of infections increases.” The specialist predicts a potential COVID-19 outbreak once winter viruses subside, noting that while most cases will likely be mild due to existing immunity, vulnerable populations - older adults and individuals with comorbidities - remain at risk of hospitalization if they haven’t received recent boosters.
Figures from the Ministry of Health indicate a important slowdown in vaccination rates. Daily vaccinations averaged 8,460 during the first half of 2025, but have fallen to just 396 so far this semester.
Adding to the concerns, data obtained through transparency requests reveals that between 2021 and 2024, a total of 5,054,201 doses of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines expired, with 3,078,385 of those being COVID-19 vaccines.this suggests potential issues with distribution, coverage, and stock management.
Undersecretary of Public Health, Andrea Albagli, explained that the winter campaign is nearing its conclusion. “This week,according to the projection made by the health authority,we are closing the winter campaign and,therefore,the distribution and submission of this vaccine; culminating like this the period enabled for this 2025.” Albagli stated the vaccine was administered alongside the influenza vaccine to encourage uptake, establishing an annual vaccination strategy similar to that used for influenza. She further clarified that the Ministry of Health “claimed to have doses during the entire period that lasts the winter campaign,” which spanned approximately 7 months.
Albagli attributes the shift in strategy to the reduced health impact of SARS-CoV-2, which currently accounts for approximately 1% of circulating viruses. The virus has also fallen in the ranking of causes of death, moving from the leading cause between 2020 and 2022, to 13th in 2023 and 28th in 2024.
