Bolivian VP under fire for refusing to get vaccinated as infections surge

Bolivian Vice President David Choquehuanca has come under fire in the landlocked Andean nation for publicly refusing to get vaccinated as a fourth wave of COVID-19 continues to sweep the country.

According to the Bolivian newspaper El Deber, Choquehuanca attended a book presentation on Wednesday at the offices of the vice-president and allegedly refused to wear a mask “for a long time.” Reporters have stated that there were an estimated 500 people in the audience.

Following the presentation, Congressman Alberto Astorga, from the center-left Comunidad Ciudadana party, sent a letter to the vice-president demanding that he be vaccinated against COVID-19. “We also ask that you provide the necessary proof that you have been vaccinated,” the letter read.

In the letter, the lawmaker continued to pressure the vice-president, saying, “despite the shortcomings of the vaccination plan implemented by the government, part of the population is already receiving the third dose of the vaccine, and we understand that you have not even received the first dose. It seems to us irresponsible on your part, since not only do you run the risk of being infected, but you also put the citizens at risk.”

He also pointed at a recent law, which comes into effect on Jan. 1, which "establishes the obligation to carry a vaccination card as a requirement to enter public spaces” and asked Choquehuanca "to encourage the population to get vaccinated, for the sake of public health.”

The vice president has also been pushed to get vaccinated by members of his own Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) party – as well as coalition party members including Juan Carlos Huarachi from Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) and Hector Arce, a former confidant of former president Evo Morales.  

COVID-19 infection rates have risen dramatically in recent days and Bolivia recorded its highest infection rate since the start of the pandemic on Wednesday with 6,149 new cases reported.

Recent data from the health ministry shows that so far, 19,650 Bolivians have died from the coronavirus and 591,773 have been infected.  

Nevertheless, Bolivians opposed to the new vaccine mandates marched in cities across the country – including La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz – on Wednesday.

In Santa Cruz, one doctor told reporters that the vaccine actually increases symptoms in those infected.

“The point of the vaccine is to prevent deaths, but we still have to wear face masks and use alcohol. What’s the point of immunization if we still have to be careful?”  

On Tuesday, protesters in El Alto approached a vaccination site and threatened to destroy vaccine doses before attacking health workers.