Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, known under the Comirnaty trademark, have trickled into Puerto Vallarta, with only 20 doses distributed a week after their public sale in local pharmacies. As of Wednesday, these vaccines are exclusively available at Farmacias del Ahorro, priced at 799.00 pesos per dose.
Visiting the Farmacias del Ahorro branches in the metropolitan area, it was evident that the supply was limited. At the Fluvial Vallarta Avenue location, only five doses were available at noon. Buyers, upon paying the 799.00 pesos, received a disposable syringe and a ticket to the attached office for vaccination. Notably, these vaccines are sold with the condition that they must be administered at the place of purchase.
This distribution follows the regulatory strategy set by the SSJ (Health Secretary of Jalisco) in anticipation of Pfizer vaccines becoming commercially available, as confirmed by Jaime Álvarez Zayas, the director of the VIII Health Region.
The Fluvial Vallarta branch reported having supplied only 20 doses, with five remaining by noon on Wednesday. In less than an hour, four of those doses were purchased, leaving only one available.
Similarly, the Nueva Vallarta branch had just three doses remaining, with uncertainty about when additional Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines would be supplied.
Interestingly, of the four doses sold between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, three were purchased by individuals under forty years old, while one was bought by an elderly person.
When questioned about the vaccine’s price, Mario, a chiropractic professional, emphasized the importance of not compromising one’s health. While Addaba is administered free of charge in federal government hospitals like IMSS and ISSTE, this vaccine, lacking WHO endorsement, is specifically designed for the original strain of the coronavirus and not its variants or subvariants.
Upon entering the office for vaccination, each recipient is required to complete a medical history form. Subsequently, the doctor administers the vaccine, providing a vaccination certificate upon completion.
In contrast, other pharmacies in Puerto Vallarta, including Guadalajara and Benavides Pharmacies, have not received information about when they will have the COVID-19 vaccine available for public sale.
Walmart, another national chain set to sell the vaccine, initially had no information regarding vaccine availability. However, Walmart’s corporate office in Mexico and Central America, represented by Javier Treviño, announced that these stores will begin selling the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday at a cost of approximately 850.00 pesos.
This distribution will be part of a first-stage rollout in 19 states and 130 branches across Mexico, including the Puerto Vallarta location, which is equipped with an attached medical office. The arrival of these vaccines at Walmart will provide residents and visitors in Puerto Vallarta with an additional option for COVID-19 vaccination.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, known under the Comirnaty trademark, have trickled into Puerto Vallarta, with only 20 doses distributed a . . .
