‘VIP vaccinations’ leave Argentinians fuming
BUENOS AIRES: Thousands of people demonstrated in cities across Argentina on Saturday to protest the “VIP vaccinations” scandal that forced the health minister to resign.
Gines Gonzalez Garcia quit a week ago at the president’s request after it emerged that his friends had been able to skip the line for coronavirus inoculation.
Protesters carrying signs reading “Give me my vaccine” and “Stop wasting our money” gathered outside the government headquarters in Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires.
“They started by vaccinating friends of the government. It is not appropriate. They are stealing someone else’s life,” protester Irene Marcet told AFP.
Since Argentina began vaccinating its people, only healthcare workers had received the jab until Wednesday, when over70s in Buenos Aires province were invited to be immunised.
On Monday, the government released a list of 70 people who received the vaccine outside of the official campaign, which included the economy minister, and former president Eduardo Duhalde and his family.
In front of the Casa Rosada, the seat of the power, protesters hung mock black body bags with the names of pro-government leaders vaccinated. But President Alberto Fernandez condemned their actions.