Argentina’s health minister out amid reports allies got early vaccines

Argentina’s health minister, Ginés González García, resigned Friday at the request of the president over revelations that people with close ties to the government were given early access to COVID-19 vaccines.

The resignation came just hours after a well-known journalist incited nationwide outrage by revealing that he had been vaccinated at the health ministry.

The journalist, Horacio Verbitsky, who is seen as pro-government, said he had called Gónzalez García, an old friend, to find out where he could get vaccinated and was directed to the ministry’s headquarters.

González García presented his resignation Friday. Carla Vizzotti, who as the No. 2 official at the health ministry has played a visible role during the pandemic, was expected to be sworn in as the new health minister Saturday afternoon.

The scandal in Argentina comes amid a similar controversy in Peru, where several high-ranking officials were forced to step down after it was revealed that around 500 officials jumped the line to receive the vaccines before health care workers.

Verbitsky’s revelation led to widespread outrage on social media, which for days had been rife with rumors that well-connected Argentines had been quietly getting vaccinated.

Local news media outlets quickly followed up with reports that Verbitsky was one of several government allies, naming lawmakers and business leaders, who received a shot at the ministry.

In his resignation letter, González García blamed his private secretary for “involuntary confusion” that led to people being vaccinated at the ministry and said he would take responsibility “for the mistake.”

A prosecutor has opened a preliminary investigation, and leaders of the opposition have called for congressional hearings.

Argentina began its vaccination campaign in late December with Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.

Until recently, most doses had been reserved for health care personnel and certain government officials.

Older Argentines became eligible for the vaccine this past week, but appointments are scarce.