Covid Lockdown in Ecuador: Changes Five Years On
- March 2025 marks five years as the COVID-19 lockdown in ecuador.
- Marcelo F., 45, did not get vaccinated during the pandemic and remains unvaccinated.
- A significant reason for his vaccine rejection stems from witnessing the health decline of his mother and wife following their vaccinations.his mother initially received two doses without issues,...
Five Years After Lockdown: COVID-19 vaccine Views in Ecuador
Table of Contents
March 2025 marks five years as the COVID-19 lockdown in ecuador. During this time, many Ecuadorians have received up to six doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, some groups have rejected vaccination from the start. Specialists suggest these individuals may have benefited from herd immunity. Conversely,others now refuse the vaccine due to adverse effects experienced post-vaccination. and similar to other countries, the vaccination process has induced fatigue.
Vaccine Rejection Stories
Marcelo F., 45, did not get vaccinated during the pandemic and remains unvaccinated. He is unconvinced by the rapid growth and deployment of these vaccines to halt the respiratory infectionS transmission. Rather,he believes in preventing contagion through more natural and cost-effective alternatives.
A significant reason for his vaccine rejection stems from witnessing the health decline of his mother and wife following their vaccinations.his mother initially received two doses without issues, but the third dose triggered tinnitus. Furthermore,her long-standing low blood pressure reversed to high blood pressure post-immunization. His wife experienced inflammatory processes in various organs, leading to debilitation, which worsened after contracting COVID-19. A clinic identified the inflammation, and she underwent choice treatment, leading to a slow recovery. Marcelo’s social circle also includes cases where anxiety, anguish, and depression symptoms exacerbated after vaccination.
Santiago S., 51, also remains unvaccinated. He observed severe health problems and even deaths among healthy friends and family members, which he struggles to explain. While no direct link to the vaccine has been proven in these cases, it has generated fear and vaccine hesitancy. This hesitancy is evident in the 2023-2024 vaccination campaigns, where the Ministry of Health failed to administer 100% of the acquired doses.
Why the Vaccine Hesitancy?
According to the study “Characteristics of the Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Population” by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) in late 2021, the reasons for not vaccinating in Ecuador are diverse. Out of 16.5 million people over five years old, 13 million were vaccinated. However, a minority of 1.3 million were not interested in immunization. This group predominantly included indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, Montubio, and, lastly, mestizo populations. Reasons for not vaccinating included concerns about side effects, opposition to vaccines, perceived ineffectiveness, belief that the disease is not hazardous, or prior infection.
Ecuadorian Study Shows Vaccine Effectiveness
To counter vaccine hesitancy, a study on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in Ecuador was published in 2023. Researchers from the Ministry of public Health, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, universities, and research centers conducted the analysis.
The study reviewed 1,277 patients, including 566 cases (people who contracted COVID-19) and 711 controls (people with similar symptoms but without COVID-19). Vaccines helped prevent hospitalizations: one dose provided 44.5% protection,while two doses increased protection to 74.7%. Two doses plus a booster dose offered 79.9% protection. Vaccines also reduced the need for intensive care and, most importantly, prevented deaths.The effectiveness in preventing death was 89% for those with two doses and reached 98.2% for those who also received a booster dose.
Based on these results, the authors concluded that COVID-19 vaccination helps protect individuals from severe illness and death. Daniel Simancas, a researcher at UTE, supports this conclusion.
COVID-19 Vaccine Availability
Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are unavailable in public health centers under the Ministry of Health. Since the entity classified it as a seasonal disease, immunization began in May of the previous year. It is uncertain whether vaccination will commence in May this year, especially for at-risk populations as defined by the World Health Organization.Inquiries to the MSP regarding the start date and vaccine dose arrivals for this year have gone unanswered. Vaccine lots are acquired through the PAHO Revolving Fund, but procurement planning requires a year’s anticipation. The progress of this process in Ecuador remains unknown.
Five Years After Lockdown: COVID-19 Vaccine Views in Ecuador – Q&A
Introduction
As of March 2025, it has been five years since the COVID-19 lockdown began in Ecuador. While many ecuadorians have received multiple doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine hesitancy persists. This article explores the reasons behind this hesitancy, the effectiveness of the vaccines, and the current availability of COVID-19 vaccines in Ecuador.
General Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines
Q: How many COVID-19 vaccine doses have ecuadorians received on average?
Many ecuadorians have received up to six doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since the start of the vaccination campaigns.
Q: What are the primary reasons for vaccine rejection in ecuador?
The primary reasons include:
Concerns about side effects
Opposition to vaccines in general
Perceived ineffectiveness of the vaccines
Belief that COVID-19 is not a hazardous disease
Prior infection with COVID-19
Experiences with Vaccine Hesitancy
Q: Can you provide examples of individuals who have chosen not to get vaccinated and their reasons?
Yes, here are two examples:
Marcelo F., 45: He remains unvaccinated, unconvinced by the rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. He prefers natural and cost-effective alternatives for preventing contagion. His decision was influenced by witnessing adverse health effects in his mother and wife after their vaccinations.
Santiago S., 51: He is also unvaccinated, having observed severe health problems and deaths among friends and family, which he struggles to explain, leading to fear and vaccine hesitancy.
Q: what specific adverse effects have been reported by those who received the COVID-19 vaccine in Ecuador?
Some individuals have reported:
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Reversal of low blood pressure to high blood pressure
Inflammatory processes in various organs
Exacerbation of anxiety, anguish, and depression symptoms
Studies on Vaccine Effectiveness
Q: Has there been any research on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in Ecuador?
Yes, a study published in 2023 reviewed 1,277 patients to assess vaccine effectiveness. The research was conducted by the Ministry of Public Health, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, universities, and research centers.
Q: What did the Ecuadorian study on vaccine effectiveness conclude?
The study concluded that COVID-19 vaccination helps protect individuals from severe illness and death. Specifically:
One dose provided 44.5% protection against hospitalization
Two doses increased protection to 74.7%
Two doses plus a booster offered 79.9% protection
* Vaccines also considerably reduced the risk of needing intensive care and prevented