Vacunagate

{{Short description|Political scandal in Peru}} [[File:Lista de los 487, pagina 2.jpg|thumb|300px|Page 2 of the list of the irregularly vaccinated, where the names of [[Martín Vizcarra]] (line 81) and [[Maribel Díaz Cabello]] (line 82) appear]]

'''Vacunagate''' (from ''vacuna'', the Spanish word for "vaccine", and the [[List of "-gate" scandals|suffix -gate]]; translatable into English as ''Vaccinegate'') refers to a [[scandal]] in [[Peru]] over the irregular and secret [[COVID-19]] vaccination of 487 people, mainly senior officials of the Executive Power of Peru.

== Context == The crisis began on February 10, 2021, with the revelation that in October 2020 a [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2|coronavirus]] vaccine intended for Phase III of the [[China National Pharmaceutical Group|Sinopharm]] [[clinical trial]]s was secretly given to then-President [[Martín Vizcarra]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/sinopharm-entrego-3200-dosis-extra-de-vacuna-y-no-2000-para-personal-relacionado-al-ensayo-clinico-noticia/ |title=Sinopharm entregó 3,200 dosis extra de vacuna y no 2,000 para personal relacionado al ensayo clínico |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last= |first= |date=February 15, 2021 |work=Gestión |publisher=Empresa Editora Gestión |location=Lima |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/vacunagate-estas-son-las-487-personas-que-recibieron-la-vacuna-de-sinopharm-noticia/ |title='Vacunagate': Estas son las 487 personas que recibieron la vacuna Sinopharm |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last=Hidalgo |first=Martín |date=February 17, 2021 |work=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]] |publisher=Grupo El Comercio |location=Lima |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref><ref name="ft">{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/06f34f5a-d196-468f-8802-8a508552e13c |title=Peru's political elite ensnared in 'Vacuna-gate' scandal |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last=Long |first=Gideon |date=February 18, 2021 |work=[[Financial Times]] |publisher=The Financial Times Limited |location= |language= |quote= }}</ref>

Of the research teams at the two universities in charge of the study,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/german-malaga-a-los-seis-meses-de-iniciado-el-ensayo-se-puede-decidir-la-produccion-de-la-vacuna-sinopharm-universidad-cayetano-vacuna-covid-19-universidad-san-marcos-noticia/ |title=German Málaga: a los seis meses de iniciado el ensayo clínico se puede decidir la producción de la vacuna |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last=Aguilar |first=Roger |date=September 4, 2020 |work=El Comercio |publisher=Grupo El Comercio |location=Lima |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref> the receipt and administration of the Sinopharm study vaccines, as well as the irregular order of 3,200 additional doses outside the clinical study, was given at the request of the medical researchers Germán Málaga and Hugo García Lescano, leader and coordinator of the research team of the [[Cayetano Heredia University]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ojo-publico.com/2484/vacuna-secreta-los-responsables-de-las-dosis-para-funcionarios |title=Vacunas secretas: los responsables de las dosis para médicos y funcionarios fuera del ensayo |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last1=Chávez |first1=Claudia |last2=Castro |first2=Aramís |last3=Chávez |first3=Rosa |date=February 15, 2021 |work=Ojo Público |publisher= |location= |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref> who would have facilitated access to vaccines for senior officials, family members, and various people outside the volunteers at their headquarters of the clinical study and the direct personnel involved in it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/covid-german-malaga-las-razones-de-german-malaga-para-vacunar-contra-covid-a-consultores-o-entorno-cercano-noticia/ |title=Las razones de Germán Málaga para 'vacunar' contra COVID a 'consultores' o 'entorno cercano' |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last= |first= |date=February 17, 2021 |work=Gestión |publisher=Empresa Editora Gestión |location=Lima |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref> The actions were aggravated when it was discovered that Germán Málaga administered three doses to 40 people at his headquarters, including himself and a deputy minister, irregularly and without written consent.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/sucesos/vacunagate-sinopharm-german-malaga-admite-que-aplicar-tres-dosis-de-la-vacuna-fue-irregular-lo-reconozco-yo-estoy-incluido-upch-coronavirus-video-nndc-noticia/ |title=Málaga admite que aplicar tres dosis de la vacuna fue irregular: "Lo reconozco, yo estoy incluido" |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last= |first= |date=February 17, 2021 |work=El Comercio |publisher=Grupo El Comercio |location=Lima |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref> Various university authorities vaccinated irregularly, including the rector and vice-rector, resigned as a result of the scandal. Finally, the National Institute of Health of Peru indicated the departure of the principal investigator responsible, and suspended the [[Cayetano Heredia University]] as the center for conducting new clinical trials.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/sucesos/vacunagate-instituto-nacional-de-salud-suspende-a-la-universidad-peruana-cayetano-heredia-como-centro-de-realizacion-de-nuevos-ensayos-clinicos-covid-19-segunda-ola-nndc-noticia/ |title='Vacunagate': INS suspende a la UPCH como centro de realización de nuevos ensayos clínicos |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last= |first= |date=February 19, 2021 |work=El Comercio |publisher=Grupo El Comercio |location=Lima |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Vacuna-gate escalates in Peru |last=Kenyon |first=Georgina |journal=[[The Lancet]] |year=2021 |volume=21 |issue=4 |page=463 |publisher=Elsevier |doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00157-2 |pmid=33773129 |pmc=7990489 |language= |quote= }}</ref>

The crisis was triggered by a report on the television program ''{{Interlanguage link|Beto a Saber|es|Beto a saber}}'', broadcast by [[Willax Televisión|Willax]], revealing that former President [[Martín Vizcarra]] had received the candidate vaccine for the [[SARS-CoV-2]] virus, intended for [[clinical trial]]s<ref>{{cite web |date=February 15, 2021 |title=Sinopharm entregó 3,200 dosis extra de vacuna y no 2,000 para personal relacionado al ensayo clínico |trans-title=Sinopharm delivered 3,200 extra vaccine doses, not 2,000, for personnel related to the clinical trial |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/sinopharm-entrego-3200-dosis-extra-de-vacuna-y-no-2000-para-personal-relacionado-al-ensayo-clinico-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=Gestión |language=es}}</ref> conducted by [[Sinopharm (company)|Sinopharm]] in Phase III,<ref name=":22">{{cite web |date=February 16, 2021 |title='Vacunagate' {{!}} Lista de vacunados: Estas son las 487 personas que recibieron la vacuna de Sinopharm |trans-title=‘Vacunagate’ {{!}} List of vaccinated: These are the 487 individuals who received the Sinopharm vaccine |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/vacunagate-estas-son-las-487-personas-que-recibieron-la-vacuna-de-sinopharm-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]] |language=es}}</ref> in October 2020 at the [[Government Palace, Peru|Government Palace]], in secret. Presidential candidate and economist [[Hernando de Soto Polar]] was also irregularly vaccinated. He initially denied an allegation of him being involved in the scandal, but it was exposed that he had flown illegally twice to the United States. De Soto was also detained for violating curfew and campaigning rules, and for being involved in Vacunagate on April 6, but was released the next day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2021/04/06/hernando-de-soto-vacunacion-eeuu-cuota-conclusiones-orix/|title=Hernando de Soto sobre su vacunación en EE.UU.: Yo no le he tomado su cuota a ningún peruano|website=CNN en Español|date=6 April 2021|access-date=23 August 2021|language=Spanish}}</ref>

The inoculation of vaccines would have criminal consequences,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-fiscalia-inicia-investigacion-a-vizcarra-aprovechamiento-indebido-del-cargo-833846.aspx |title=Fiscalía inicia investigación a Vizcarra por aprovechamiento indebido del cargo |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last= |first= |date=February 15, 2021 |work=Andina |publisher=Editora Perú |location=Lima |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref> as high-ranking officials of the Government of [[Francisco Sagasti]] were vaccinated, such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Elizabeth Astete]], the Minister of Health [[Pilar Mazzetti]],<ref name="ft" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-perus-president-confirms-487-got-vaccinated-outside-trials-including-public-officials-833874.aspx |title=Peru's President confirms 487 got vaccinated outside trials, including public officials |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last= |first= |date=February 15, 2021 |work=Andina |publisher=Editora Perú |location=Lima |language= |quote= }}</ref> the two Vice-Ministers of Health,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/ugarte-viceministros-informaron-pilar-mazzetti-sobre-vacunaciones-dosis-sinopharm-n431350 |title=Ugarte: Viceministros informaron a Pilar Mazzetti sobre vacunaciones con dosis de Sinopharm |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last= |first= |date=February 15, 2021 |publisher=[[Canal N]] |location= |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref> and senior officials of the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Peru)|Foreign Ministry]] in the midst of negotiations with the Sinopharm laboratory for the acquisition of vaccines. Among the vaccinated officials, there are 8 members of the negotiating committee, who received the vaccine before and after the purchase process.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ocho-miembros-de-la-comision-que-negocio-con-sinopharm-se-vacunaron-antes-y-despues-del-acuerdo-de-compra-noticia/ |title=Ocho miembros de la comisión que negoció con Sinopharm se vacunaron antes y después del acuerdo de compra |access-date=March 26, 2021 |last=Castañeda |first=Giovanna |date=February 17, 2021 |work=El Comercio |publisher=Grupo El Comercio |location=Lima |language=Spanish |quote= }}</ref>

== Development of events == {{Multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 230 | image1 = Laboratorio chino Sinopharm llega al Perú con las pruebas para el ensayo clínico Fase III de la vacuna contra el Covid-19.jpg | image2 = Laboratorio chino Sinopharm llega al Perú con las pruebas para el ensayo clínico Fase III de la vacuna contra el Covid-19 1.jpg | image3 = Vizcarra y Díaz Cabello.jpg | footer = From top to bottom: The first two images show [[Sinopharm (company)|Sinopharm]] personnel being received by Minister of Health [[Pilar Mazzetti]] and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario López Chávarri at [[Jorge Chávez International Airport]], and the arrival of vaccines for the Phase III clinical trial in [[Peru]] on September 2, 2020;<ref>{{cite news|title=Laboratorio chino Sinopharm llega al Perú con las pruebas para el ensayo clínico Fase III de la vacuna contra el Covid-19|trans-title=Chinese laboratory Sinopharm arrives in Peru with tests for the Phase III clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine|url=https://www.gob.pe/institucion/rree/noticias/297538-laboratorio-chino-sinopharm-llega-al-peru-con-las-pruebas-para-el-ensayo-clinico-fase-iii-de-la-vacuna-contra-el-covid-19|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=October 16, 2025|newspaper=gob.pe}}</ref> the third image shows the former presidential couple (2018–2020), [[Martín Vizcarra]] with his wife and former First Lady [[Maribel Díaz Cabello]], who were vaccinated outside the clinical trial at the [[Government Palace, Peru|Government Palace]] on October 2, 2020.<ref>{{cite news|title=Enfermera aseguró que aplicó las dos dosis de la vacuna a Martín Vizcarra y a su esposa en Palacio|trans-title=Nurse confirmed that she administered both doses of the vaccine to Martín Vizcarra and his wife at the Palace|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/martin-vizcarra-enfermera-aseguro-que-aplico-las-dos-dosis-de-la-vacuna-al-expresidente-y-su-esposa-en-palacio-noticia-1321210|date=February 16, 2021|access-date=October 16, 2025|newspaper=[[RPP (Peru)|Radio Programas del Perú]]}}</ref> }}

On February 10, 2021, an investigation by journalist {{Interlanguage link|José Carlos Paredes Rojas|lt=Carlos Paredes|es|Carlos Paredes (periodista)}}, aired on the television program ''{{Interlanguage link|Beto a Saber|es|Beto a saber}}'' on [[Willax Televisión|Willax]], revealed that former President [[Martín Vizcarra]] and his wife, [[Maribel Díaz Cabello|Maribel Díaz]], had been vaccinated against [[COVID-19]] in October 2020. The information was confirmed the following day by Vizcarra himself, who told the press:{{blockquote|Finally, I made the brave decision to join the 12,000 volunteers and have the experimental test done. I confirm it was on October 2 [2020].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-vizcarra-confirma-recibio-vacuna-sinopharm-fase-experimental-833394.aspx|title=Vizcarra confirma que recibió vacuna de Sinopharm en fase experimental|trans-title=Vizcarra confirms he received Sinopharm vaccine in experimental phase|access-date=October 16, 2025|last=PERÚ|first=Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA|website=andina.pe|language=es}}</ref>}}The following day, the [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|Peruvian Congress]] summoned the President of the Council of Ministers [[Violeta Bermúdez]], Minister of Health [[Pilar Mazzetti]], and Minister of Labor {{Interlanguage link|Javier Palacios Gallegos|lt=|es|Javier Palacios Gallegos}} to report on progress in the fight against the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The ministers appeared before Congress that same day, and Mazzetti stated that she was unaware of Vizcarra’s vaccination, adding that ''someone like the president should refrain from participating in a clinical trial''. That same day, it became public knowledge that Dr. Germán Málaga of the [[Cayetano Heredia University]], one of the two doctors responsible for the candidate vaccine trials in Peru, had visited the Government Palace on October 2 and 29, dates when the first and second doses of the candidate vaccine were allegedly administered to then-President Martín Vizcarra and his associates.<ref>{{cite web |last=PERÚ |first=RPP |title=Germán Málaga confirmó que fue a Palacio de Gobierno a pedido del expresidente Martín Vizcarra |trans-title=Germán Málaga confirmed he went to the Government Palace at the request of former President Martín Vizcarra |url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/martin-vizcarra-german-malaga-confirmo-que-fue-a-palacio-de-gobierno-a-pedido-del-expresidente-noticia-1320477 |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=rpp.pe |language=es}}</ref>

On February 12, various media outlets reported that a {{Interlanguage link|Montion of censure (Peru)|lt=motion of censure|es|Moción de censura (Perú)}} against Minister [[Pilar Mazzetti]] was being drafted, but it did not garner the required number of congressional signatures or proceed further.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 12, 2021 |title=Pilar Mazzetti renunció al Ministerio de Salud |trans-title=Pilar Mazzetti resigned from the Ministry of Health |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/pilar-mazzetti-renuncia-al-ministerio-de-salud-coronavirus-en-peru-martin-vizcarra-francisco-sagasti-violeta-bermudez-nczg-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=El Comercio}}</ref> Several congressional groups also rejected the idea of censuring Mazzetti.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 12, 2021 |title=Congreso: Bancada de Acción Popular rechaza posible censura de ministra Pilar Mazzetti |trans-title=Congress: Acción Popular caucus rejects possible censure of Minister Pilar Mazzetti |url=https://peru21.pe/politica/martin-vizcarra-congreso-bancada-de-accion-popular-rechaza-posible-censura-de-ministra-pilar-mazzetti-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Perú21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 12, 2021 |title=Vocero de bancada Fuerza Popular: “Sería una estupidez mayúscula pretender censurar a Mazzetti” |trans-title=Popular Force caucus spokesperson: “It would be utterly foolish to try to censure Mazzetti” |url=https://peru21.pe/politica/martin-vizcarra-vocero-de-bancada-fuerza-popular-seria-una-estupidez-mayuscula-pretender-censurar-a-pilar-mazzetti-en-el-congreso-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Perú21}}</ref> However, on the evening of February 12, Mazzetti resigned from her position.

On the morning of February 13, President [[Francisco Sagasti]], in an interview on [[RPP (Peru)|RPP]], defended Minister Mazzetti and described the treatment she received from Congress as "unfair":{{blockquote|The doctor has been at the forefront of the Ministry of Health for many years, she has made an extraordinary effort, we have all seen how exhausted she is, and the treatment she has received, not only in the media but also in Congress, has been unfair.<ref>{{cite news|title=Presidente Sagasti sobre Mazzetti: "Ha sido injusto el tratamiento que se le ha dado en el Congreso"|trans-title=President Sagasti on Mazzetti: "The treatment she has received in Congress has been unfair"|url=https://tvperu.gob.pe/noticias/politica/presidente-sagasti-sobre-mazzetti-ha-sido-injusto-el-tratamiento-que-se-le-ha-dado-en-el-congreso|date=February 13, 2021|access-date=October 16, 2025|newspaper=[[TVPerú]]}}</ref>}}On February 13, [[Óscar Ugarte]] assumed the role of Minister of Health.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 12, 2021 |title=Óscar Ugarte jura este sábado como nuevo ministro de Salud |trans-title=Óscar Ugarte to be sworn in as new Minister of Health this Saturday |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/oscar-ugarte-jurara-como-nuevo-ministro-de-salud-este-sabado-pilar-mazzetti-martin-vizcarra-violeta-bermudez-francisco-sagasti-nczg-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]] |language=es}}</ref> During the ceremony, the former minister was invited by the president to the balcony of the Golden Hall for the ministerial handover and was applauded by the government officials present.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 13, 2021 |title=Pilar Mazzetti fue despedida entre aplausos del Ministerio de Salud |trans-title=Pilar Mazzetti was bid farewell with applause from the Ministry of Health |url=https://peru21.pe/videos/politica/pilar-mazzetti-fue-despedida-entre-aplausos-del-ministerio-de-salud-videos-nnav-amtv-pais-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Perú21}}</ref>

On February 14, the [[Cayetano Heredia University]] issued a statement indicating that neither Martín Vizcarra nor his wife were volunteers in the clinical trials, as they were not listed in the study’s official records.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 14, 2021 |title=UPCH desmiente versión de Vizcarra y señala que él y su esposa no fueron voluntarios de ensayos clínicos |trans-title=UPCH refutes Vizcarra’s version and states that he and his wife were not volunteers in clinical trials |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/upch-desmiente-version-de-vizcarra-y-senala-que-el-y-su-esposa-no-fueron-voluntarios-de-ensayos-clinicos-vacuna-sinopharm-covid-19-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]] |language=es}}</ref>

That same day, the newspaper ''[[La República]]'' reported that Peru had received 2,000 doses of Sinopharm’s experimental candidate vaccine outside the scope of the clinical trials. These doses were administered to some of the medical and technical staff involved in the trial, but also to several officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 14, 2021 |title=Funcionarios del gobierno de Vizcarra se vacunaron con 2000 dosis que donó Sinopharm |trans-title=Officials of Vizcarra’s government were vaccinated with 2,000 doses donated by Sinopharm |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/02/14/mas-de-50-funcionarios-de-gobierno-de-vizcarra-se-habrian-vacunado-con-las-dosis-extra-de-sinopharm/?ref=lre |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=larepublica.pe}}</ref> The Minister of Foreign Affairs, [[Elizabeth Astete]], also received the first dose of the Sinopharm candidate vaccine and resigned after her vaccination became public.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 14, 2021 |title=Canciller admite que recibió vacuna Sinopharm y renuncia a su cargo |trans-title=Foreign Minister admits receiving Sinopharm vaccine and resigns from her post |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/02/15/canciller-admite-que-recibio-vacuna-sinopharm-y-renuncia-a-su-cargo/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=larepublica.pe}}</ref>

President [[Francisco Sagasti]] announced an investigation “to clarify the facts” surrounding the scandal. The new Minister of Health, [[Óscar Ugarte]], further announced that the president had ordered the dismissal of any state employee who received the candidate vaccine irregularly, outside the clinical trial.

On the evening of February 14, in an interview on the program ''{{Interlanguage link|Cuarto Poder (news)|lt=Cuarto Poder|es|Cuarto poder (programa de televisión)}}'', Minister of Health [[Óscar Ugarte]] revealed that both vice-ministers of health, Luis Suárez Ognio ({{Interlanguage link|Vice-Ministry of Public Health (Peru)|lt=Public Health|es|Viceministerio de Salud Pública del Perú}}) and Víctor Bocángel (Health Services and Insurance), had been vaccinated, information known to [[Pilar Mazzetti]].<ref>{{cite news |date=February 14, 2021 |title=Exviceministros del Minsa informaron a Mazzetti que se vacunaron contra el COVID-19, según ministro Ugarte |trans-title=Former vice-ministers of Minsa informed Mazzetti that they were vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Minister Ugarte |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/vacuna-covid-19-pilar-mazzetti-sabia-que-exviceministros-del-minsa-se-vacunaron-contra-el-covid-19-segun-ministro-oscar-ugarte-sinopharm-coronavirus-peru-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=El Comercio}}</ref> Ugarte also announced that he had accepted the resignations of both officials and that an Investigative Commission, chaired by former minister [[Fernando Carbone Campoverde|Fernando Carbone]], would be formed.

On February 15, 2021, [[Allan Wagner Tizón|Allan Wagner]] was sworn in as the new {{Interlanguage link|Minister of Foreign Affairs (Peru)|lt=Minister of Foreign Affairs|es|Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores del Perú}} in a ceremony held in the Golden Hall of the [[Government Palace, Peru|Government Palace]]. That same day, the [[National University of San Marcos]], the other university responsible for the Sinopharm clinical trials in Peru, issued a statement indicating that its research team, led by Dr. Eduardo Ticona, had not vaccinated individuals outside the 4,500 volunteers or the 88 members of its research team.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 15, 2021 |title=UNMSM: “no se ha vacunado a personas ajenas a los voluntarios o al equipo de investigación” |trans-title=UNMSM: “No individuals outside the volunteers or the research team have been vaccinated” |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/vacuna-covid-19-unmsm-no-se-ha-vacunado-a-personas-ajenas-a-los-voluntarios-o-al-equipo-de-investigacion-sinopharm-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario Gestión}}</ref> However, hours later, when the full list of individuals vaccinated outside the clinical trials was revealed, it was confirmed that the rector and vice-rector of research at the National University of San Marcos, as well as the rector, academic vice-rector, and vice-rector of research at the Cayetano Heredia University, had received the candidate vaccine.<ref name=":12">{{cite news |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Lista de los 487 que accedieron a la vacuna de Sinopharm |trans-title=List of the 487 who accessed the Sinopharm vaccine |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/02/16/lista-de-los-487-que-accedieron-a-la-vacuna-de-sinopharm/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario La República}}</ref>

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Peru issued a statement indicating that it was unaware of the identities of the vaccinated senior officials and rejected the terms courtesy vaccines, donations, or perks amid the scandal involving the vaccination of senior officials in Peru.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 15, 2021 |title=Embajada de China en Perú dice desconocer identidad de personas vacunadas |trans-title=Chinese Embassy in Peru says it is unaware of the identity of vaccinated individuals |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/vacuna-covid-19-embajada-de-china-en-peru-dice-desconocer-identidad-de-personas-vacunadas-nndc-noticia/?ref=signwall |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario Gestión}}</ref>

On February 15, 2021, it was revealed that former Minister of Health [[Pilar Mazzetti]] had also been vaccinated.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=February 15, 2021 |title=Exministra de Salud Pilar Mazzetti también se vacunó |trans-title=Former Minister of Health Pilar Mazzetti was also vaccinated |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/exministra-de-salud-pilar-mazzetti-tambien-se-vacuno-en-secreto-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario El Comercio}}</ref> The newspaper [[El Comercio (Peru)|''El Comercio'']] reported that Mazzetti had received the first dose in mid-January and the second on February 6.

On February 16, 2021, [[El Comercio (Peru)|''El Comercio'']] detailed that eight members of the commission that negotiated with [[Sinopharm (company)|Sinopharm]] were vaccinated before and after the purchase agreement.<ref name=":3">{{cite news |last=Castañeda |first=Giovanna |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Ocho miembros de la comisión que negoció con Sinopharm se vacunaron antes y después del acuerdo de compra |trans-title=Eight members of the commission that negotiated with Sinopharm were vaccinated before and after the purchase agreement |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ocho-miembros-de-la-comision-que-negocio-con-sinopharm-se-vacunaron-antes-y-despues-del-acuerdo-de-compra-noticia/ |newspaper=Diario El Comercio |page=Investigative Unit}}</ref> The commission consisted of 18 members, including representatives from the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Peru)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], the [[Ministry of Health (Peru)|Ministry of Health]], the [[Ministry of Economy and Finance (Peru)|Ministry of Economy and Finance]], {{Interlanguage link|Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica|lt=CONCYTEC|es|Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica}}, the [[Prime Minister of Peru|Presidency of the Council of Ministers]], the {{Interlanguage link|National Institute of Health (Peru)|lt=|es|Instituto Nacional de Salud (Perú)}}, the [[Cayetano Heredia University]], and the [[National University of San Marcos]]. Of these 18 commission members, eight were vaccinated.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 2021 |title=OCHO MIEMBROS DE LA COMISIÓN QUE NEGOCIÓ CON SINOPHARM SE VACUNARON EN SECRETO |trans-title=EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION THAT NEGOTIATED WITH SINOPHARM WERE VACCINATED IN SECRET |url=https://panamericana.pe/24horas/nacionales/314826-ocho-miembros-comision-negocio-sinopharm-vacunaron-secreto |newspaper=Panamericana Televisión}}</ref>

On February 16, 2021, when questioned by the press about why he and others received three doses of the candidate vaccine when the standard was two doses, Dr. Germán Málaga stated that he did so with the idea of a potential future study, while acknowledging the irregularity of his actions.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Málaga admite que aplicar tres dosis de la vacuna fue irregular: “Lo reconozco, yo estoy incluido” |trans-title=Málaga admits that administering three doses of the vaccine was irregular: “I recognize it, I am included” |url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/sucesos/vacunagate-sinopharm-german-malaga-admite-que-aplicar-tres-dosis-de-la-vacuna-fue-irregular-lo-reconozco-yo-estoy-incluido-upch-coronavirus-video-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=El Comercio}}</ref> On December 17, when questioned about the vaccination of the owner of a Peruvian-Chinese restaurant, Málaga stated: "''We have 12 people from the Chinese delegation who are constantly with us, and this person visits two to three times a week. The Chinese delegation gets tired of [[Burger King]].''"<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Málaga: Vacunaron a dueño de chifa porque delegación “se cansó del Burger King” |trans-title=Málaga: They vaccinated the owner of a chifa because the delegation “got tired of Burger King” |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2021/02/17/vacunagate-malaga-vacunaron-a-dueno-de-chifa-porque-delegacion-se-canso-del-burger-king/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=La República}}</ref>

On February 17, 2021, [[Fernando Carbone Campoverde|Fernando Carbone]], president of the Investigative Commission of the [[Ministry of Health (Peru)|Ministry of Health]], reported the existence of additional lists of individuals vaccinated against COVID-19.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Fernando Carbone confirma que existen otras listas de vacunados contra la COVID-19 de Sinopharm (VIDEO) |trans-title=Fernando Carbone confirms the existence of other lists of individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 with Sinopharm (VIDEO) |url=https://diariocorreo.pe/peru/otra-lista-de-vacunados-contra-la-covid-19-fernando-carbone-confirma-que-existen-otros-inoculados-por-sinopharm-coronavirus-peru-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario Correo}}</ref> In a dialogue with [[RPP (Peru)|RPP]], he stated: “We have requested the information again. I’m sorry, I cannot comment now. We have received other lists that we are cross-referencing, lists from the {{Interlanguage link|National Institute of Health (Peru)|lt=INS|es|Instituto Nacional de Salud (Perú)}}, lists from the universities, lists from within the Ministry of Health, and lists from the general state scope identifying workers.”

The rector, vice-rector, and other authorities of the [[Cayetano Heredia University]] who were irregularly vaccinated resigned due to the scandal. On February 19, following an inspection of the university that confirmed various irregularities violating the study protocol, good practices, and ethical standards, the {{Interlanguage link|National Institute of Health (Peru)|lt=|es|Instituto Nacional de Salud (Perú)}} removed the principal investigator, Germán Málaga, and suspended the university as a center for conducting new clinical trials.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |date=February 19, 2021 |title='Vacunagate': INS suspende a la UPCH como centro de realización de nuevos ensayos clínicos |trans-title=‘Vacunagate’: INS suspends UPCH as a center for conducting new clinical trials |url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/sucesos/vacunagate-instituto-nacional-de-salud-suspende-a-la-universidad-peruana-cayetano-heredia-como-centro-de-realizacion-de-nuevos-ensayos-clinicos-covid-19-segunda-ola-nndc-noticia/?ref=ecr |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=El Comercio |language=es}}</ref>

On February 19, the [[Prime Minister of Peru|Prime Minister]], [[Violeta Bermúdez]], stated that the batch of questioned candidate vaccines was requested by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Peru)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]].<ref>{{cite news |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Lote de vacunas cuestionadas fue solicitado por la Cancillería, confirmó Bermúdez |trans-title=Batch of questioned vaccines was requested by the Foreign Ministry, Bermúdez confirmed |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/lote-de-vacunas-cuestionadas-fue-solicitado-por-la-cancilleria-confirmo-bermudez-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario Gestión}}</ref> However, this information was contradicted by Foreign Minister [[Allan Wagner Tizón|Allan Wagner]], who stated that Bermúdez’s claim was “a distorted version.”<ref>{{cite news |date=February 20, 2021 |title=Allan Wagner contradice a Violeta Bermúdez: «Es una versión distorsionada» |trans-title=Allan Wagner contradicts Violeta Bermúdez: “It is a distorted version” |url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/politica/allan-wagner-contradice-a-violeta-bermudez-es-una-version-distorsionada/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario Expreso}}</ref>

On February 25, 2021, in a press conference, [[Fernando Carbone Campoverde|Fernando Carbone]], president of the Investigative Commission, presented the final report to the {{Interlanguage link|Minister of Health (Peru)|lt=Minister of Health|es|Ministro de Salud del Perú}}, [[Óscar Ugarte]].<ref>{{cite news |date=February 25, 2021 |title=EN VIVO: Comisión Sectorial del Minsa presenta informe sobre caso Vacunagate |trans-title=LIVE: Minsa Sectoral Commission presents report on the Vacunagate case |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/02/25/conferencia-vacunagate-en-vivo-resultado-investigacion-minsa-sobre-vacunas-sinopharm/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario La República}}</ref>

=== Parliamentary investigation === On February 16, Germán Málaga, the researcher responsible for the clinical trial at the [[Cayetano Heredia University]] and who allegedly facilitated the administration of candidate vaccines outside the clinical trial to senior officials and unrelated individuals, was questioned by the [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|Congress of the Republic]] regarding his involvement in the scandal and the legal and ethical implications of his actions. That same day, it was revealed that his daughter, wife, and sister-in-law had received the candidate vaccine. Additionally, through a review of migration records, it was identified that Málaga’s daughter, residing in Europe, had traveled to Peru in December and January specifically to receive both doses of the vaccine.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Hija de Germán Málaga volvió a Perú, se vacunó e inmediatamente después regresó a Europa a vivir |trans-title=Germán Málaga’s daughter returned to Peru, was vaccinated, and immediately returned to Europe to live |url=https://www.atv.pe/noticia/hija-de-german-malaga-volvio-a-peru-se-vacuno-e-inmediatamente-despues-regreso-a-europa-a-vivir |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=ATV}}</ref>

On the evening of February 16, 2021, the [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|Congress of the Republic]] approved the formation of an Investigative Commission tasked with investigating the alleged favoritism in the administration of candidate vaccines against COVID-19 to senior public officials. With 100 votes in favor, the Congress Plenary approved the commission, composed of congress members [[Otto Guibovich|Otto Guibovich Arteaga]] (Popular Action), Lusmila Pérez Espíritu (Alliance for Progress), Richard Rubio Gariza ([[Agricultural People's Front of Peru|FREPAP]]), {{Interlanguage link|Carlos Mesía Ramírez|lt=Carlos Mesía|es|Carlos Mesía Ramírez}} (Popular Force), Luis Castillo Oliva (Podemos Perú), {{Interlanguage link|Roberto Chavarría Vilcatoma|lt=|es|Roberto Chavarría Vilcatoma}} (Union for Peru), {{Interlanguage link|Absalón Montoya|lt=|es|Absalón Montoya}} (Broad Front), Mariano Yupanqui Miñano (Democratic Decentralization), and Rubén Ramos Zapana (New Constitution). On February 18, the commission was established and elected [[Otto Guibovich]] as its president.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 2021 |title=Otto Guibovich es el titular de la comisión del caso vacunas |trans-title=Otto Guibovich is the president of the vaccine case commission |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/otto-guibovich-presidente-comision-caso-vacunas-n431514 |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Canal N}}</ref>

On February 22, 2021, the Subcommittee on Constitutional Accusations approved reports against former President [[Martín Vizcarra]], former Minister of Health [[Pilar Mazzetti]], and former Foreign Minister [[Elizabeth Astete]]. The former officials will face proceedings for constitutional violations (impeachment) and functional crimes (preliminary investigation).<ref>{{cite news |date=February 22, 2021 |title=Vacunagate: SAC elevaría a la Permanente informe contra Vizcarra este martes |trans-title=Vacunagate: SAC would submit report against Vizcarra to the Permanent Committee this Tuesday |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/02/23/vacunagate-sac-elevaria-a-la-permanente-informe-contra-vizcarra-este-martes/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=Diario La República}}</ref>

== List of vaccinated individuals == The list of 487 individuals<ref name=":22"/> vaccinated outside the clinical trials includes those vaccinated as part of the research and administrative staff of the studies (whose vaccination was approved by DIGEMID despite being irregular) and individuals not directly related to the studies, including senior Peruvian government officials, their families, and university authorities responsible for the clinical trials.<ref name=":12"/>

=== Senior officials of Francisco Sagasti’s government === {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%" !Ministry !Official !Position |- | rowspan="13" |[[Ministry of Health (Peru)|Ministry of Health]] |[[Pilar Mazzetti|Pilar Mazzetti Soler]] |{{Interlanguage link|Minister of Health (Peru)|lt=|es|Ministro de Salud del Perú}} |- |Luis Suárez Ognio |{{Interlanguage link|Vice-Minister of Public Health|lt=|es|Viceministerio de Salud Pública del Perú}} |- |Víctor Freddy Bocangel Puclla |Vice-Minister of Health Services and Insurance |- |Danilo Pedro Céspedes Medrano |Head of the Advisory Cabinet of the [[Ministry of Health (Peru)|Ministry of Health]] |- |Manuel Espinoza Silva |Advisor to the Vice-Ministry of Public Health<ref>{{cite news|date=15 February 2020 |periodical=Diario El Comercio |title=Ex asesor de ex viceministro Luis Suárez Ognio confirma que también fue vacunado |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/asesor-de-ex-viceministro-luis-suarez-ognio-confirma-que-fue-vacunado-y-que-hay-mas-personas-inoculadas-covid-19-sinopharm-noticia/?outputType=lite}}</ref> |- |Pedro Guerrero Romero |Advisor to the Vice-Ministry of Public Health |- |Carlos Castillo Solórzano |Advisor to the [[Ministry of Health (Peru)|Ministry of Health]] |- |Aldo Lucchetti Rodríguez |Director General of Strategic Interventions of the Ministry of Health |- |Víctor Raúl Cuba Oré |Director General of International Technical Cooperation of the Ministry of Health |- |Lucy Nancy Olivares Marcos |Executive Director of the Coordination Secretariat of the National Health Council |- |Luis Rodríguez Benavides |National Director of the {{Interlanguage link|National Center for Epidemiology|lt=|es|Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Prevención y Control de Enfermedades}} |- |María Ticona Zegarra |Executive Director of Immunizations of the Ministry of Health |- |Sofía Patricia Salas Pumacayo |Executive Director of Pharmaceutical Products DIGEMID Ministry of Health |- | rowspan="5" |[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Peru)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] |[[Elizabeth Astete|Elizabeth Astete Rodríguez]] |{{Interlanguage link|Minister of Foreign Affairs (Peru)|lt=Minister of Foreign Affairs|es|Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores del Perú}} |- |Javier Sánchez Checa Salazar |Advisor to the Ministerial Office of Foreign Affairs |- |Francisco Tenya Hasegawa |Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |- |Jorge Arturo Jarama Alván |Director of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |- |Jorge Lazo Escalante |Director of State Ceremonial - Ministry of Foreign Affairs |- | rowspan="2" |'''[[Prime Minister of Peru|Presidency of the Council of Ministers]]''' |Oscar Rafael Suárez Peña |Advisor to the Ministerial Office of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers |- |- | colspan="3" |<small>Fuente. [[La República|''Diario La República'']]</small><ref name=":122">{{cite news|date=16 February 2021 |periodical=Diario La República |title=Lista de los 487 que accedieron a la vacuna de Sinopharm |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/02/16/lista-de-los-487-que-accedieron-a-la-vacuna-de-sinopharm/}}</ref> |}

=== Senior officials of Martín Vizcarra’s government === {| class="wikitable" !Former Official !Position |- |[[Martín Vizcarra]] |[[President of Peru|President of the Republic]] |}

=== Other vaccinated individuals not listed as clinical trial staff === {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%" !Person !Note |- |[[Maribel Díaz Cabello]] |Former [[First Ladies and Gentlemen of Peru|First Lady of the Nation]] |- |César Vizcarra Cornejo |Brother of [[Martín Vizcarra]]<ref>{{cite news|access-date=16 February 2021 |date=15 February 2021 |periodical=Canal N |title=Vizcarra reveló que su hermano también recibió dosis de vacuna de Sinopharm contra COVID-19 |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/martin-vizcarra-revelo-que-su-hermano-tambien-recibio-vacuna-experimental-sinopharm-n431383}}</ref> |- |[[Patricia J. García|Patricia García Funegra]]<ref>{{cite news|date=15 February 2021 |periodical=Diario Gestión |title=Exministra Patricia García confirmó que recibió vacuna Sinopharm, como personal ligado al estudio clínico |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/exministra-patricia-garcia-confirmo-que-recibio-vacuna-de-sinopharm-como-personal-ligado-al-estudio-clinico-nndc-noticia/}}</ref> |Former Minister of Health and researcher at the Cayetano Heredia University |- |[[Alejandro Aguinaga|Alejandro Aguinaga Recuenco]]<ref>{{cite news|date=15 February 2021 |periodical=Diario El Comercio |title=Alejandro Aguinaga revela que recibió la vacuna contra el COVID-19 de Sinopharm |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/alejandro-aguinaga-revela-que-recibio-la-vacuna-contra-el-covid-19-de-sinopharm-nndc-noticia/}}</ref> |Former Minister of Health |- |{{Interlanguage link|Eduardo Pretell Zárate|lt=|es|Eduardo Pretell Zárate}} |Former Minister of Health |- |Inés Caro Kahn |Wife of the Vice-Minister of Public Health and doctor at the [[National Institute of Child Health]] |- |María del Carmen Suárez Ognio |Sister of the Vice-Minister of Public Health |- |Juliet Suárez Caro |Daughter of the Vice-Minister of Public Health |- |Luis Antonio Suárez Caro |Son of the Vice-Minister of Public Health |- |José Eduardo Gotuzzo Herencia |Researcher at the Peruvian [[Cayetano Heredia University]] |- |Germán Málaga Rodríguez |Principal Investigator at the Peruvian [[Cayetano Heredia University]] |- |Nelly Baiocchi |Researcher at the Peruvian [[Cayetano Heredia University]] |- |Luis Varela Pinedo |Rector of the Peruvian [[Cayetano Heredia University]] |- |Alejandro Joaquín Bussauleu Rivera |Vice-Rector of Research at the Peruvian [[Cayetano Heredia University]] |- |Andrés Guillermo Lescano |Member of the Governing Council of the [[SUNEDU|National Superintendency of Higher University Education]] |- |José Ronald Espinoza Babilón |Academic Vice-Rector of the Peruvian [[Cayetano Heredia University]] (UPCH) |- |{{Interlanguage link|Orestes Cachay Boza|lt=|es|Orestes Cachay Boza}} |Rector of the [[National University of San Marcos]] |- |Felipe San Martín Howard |Vice-Rector of Research at the [[National University of San Marcos]] |- |Cecilia Blume Cillóniz |Former Head of the Advisory Cabinet of the {{Interlanguage link|President of the Council of Ministers (Peru)|lt=Presidency of the Council of Ministers|es|Presidente del Consejo de Ministros}} |- |Pablo Checa Ledesma |Former Vice-Minister of Labor |- |Ciro Maguiña Vargas |Vice-Dean of the {{Interlanguage link|Peruvian Medical Association|lt=|es|Colegio Médico del Perú}} |- |Ana Zúñiga |Wife of Germán Málaga, doctor at UPCH and one of the two leaders of the candidate vaccine study |- |Ariana Sofía Málaga Zúñiga |Daughter of Germán Málaga, doctor at UPCH and one of the two leaders of the candidate vaccine study |- |César Loo |Owner of the Royal Restaurant of ''[[chifa]]'' cuisine |- |Claudia Gianoli Keller |General Manager of Suiza Lab |- |Christopher Wiegering Gianoli |Commercial Manager of Suiza Lab |- |Marita de los Ríos Guevara |Former Director of Cenares (2016) |- |Daniel Wiegering Gianoli |Associate of Suiza Lab management |- |Antonio Armejo |Executive of the Fondo Blanquiazul |- |[[Nicola Girasoli]] |Catholic priest and Italian diplomat, apostolic [[nuncio]] in Peru |- |Carmen Ginocchio Cueva |Daughter of journalist {{Interlanguage link|Rosana Cueva|lt=|es|Rosana Cueva}} |- |Juan Carlos Asencio Bermúdez<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2021-02-16 |date=2021-02-16 |first=Redacción |language=es-PE |last=LR |title=Vacunagate: chofer de Pilar Mazzetti también se vacunó contra la COVID-19 |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2021/02/16/vacunagate-chofer-de-pilar-mazzetti-tambien-se-vacuno-contra-la-covid-19/ |website=larepublica.pe}}</ref> |Driver of [[Pilar Mazzetti]] |- |Mario Mongilardi |Former President of the Lima Chamber of Commerce Source: Diario La República |- | colspan="2" |<small>Fuente. [[:es:La República (Perú)|Diario La República]]</small><ref name=":124">{{cite news|date=16 February 2021 |periodical=Diario La República |title=Lista de los 487 que accedieron a la vacuna de Sinopharm |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/02/16/lista-de-los-487-que-accedieron-a-la-vacuna-de-sinopharm/}}</ref> |}

=== Second list === It was reported that a second list existed, although former Minister of Health [[Fernando Carbone Campoverde|Fernando Carbone]] stated that no such list existed.<ref>{{cite web |last=PERÚ |first=NOTICIAS EL COMERCIO |date=February 18, 2021 |title=Carbone niega que exista una segunda lista de personas vacunadas irregularmente {{!}} Vacuna contra el COVID-19 {{!}} Sinopharm {{!}} pandemia {{!}} coronavirus {{!}} LIMA |trans-title=Carbone denies the existence of a second list of irregularly vaccinated individuals {{!}} COVID-19 vaccine {{!}} Sinopharm {{!}} pandemic {{!}} coronavirus {{!}} LIMA |url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/carbone-niega-que-exista-una-segunda-lista-de-personas-vacunadas-irregularmente-vacuna-contra-el-covid-19-sinopharm-pandemia-coronavirus-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=El Comercio Perú |language=es}}</ref> However, the Comptroller General of the Republic stated that investigations into a second list of vaccinated individuals were underway.<ref>{{cite web |last=GESTIÓN |first=NOTICIAS |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Contraloría recibirá la próxima semana segunda lista de vacunados en secreto {{!}} PERU |trans-title=Comptroller’s Office will receive the second list of secretly vaccinated individuals next week {{!}} PERU |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/contraloria-recibira-la-proxima-semana-segunda-lista-de-vacunados-en-secreto-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=Gestión |language=es}}</ref> Journalist {{Interlanguage link|Phillip Butters|lt=|es|Phillip Butters}} later suggested that [[Beto Ortiz]] was in possession of the second list.<ref>{{cite web |last=BOCÓN |first=NOTICIAS EL |date=March 11, 2021 |title=Vacunagate: Revelan que Beto Ortiz tendría lista de vacunados vip que involucra a dos candidatos {{!}} VIDEO {{!}} Elecciones {{!}} Elecciones 2021 {{!}} Vacuna COVID {{!}} Coronavirus Perú {{!}} TRENDS |trans-title=Vacunagate: It is revealed that Beto Ortiz may have a list of VIP vaccinated individuals involving two candidates {{!}} VIDEO {{!}} Elections {{!}} Elections 2021 {{!}} COVID vaccine {{!}} Coronavirus Peru {{!}} TRENDS |url=https://elbocon.pe/trends/vacunagate-revelan-que-beto-ortiz-tendria-segunda-lista-de-vacunados-que-involucra-a-dos-candidatos-video-elecciones-elecciones-2021-vacuna-covid-coronavirus-peru-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=El Bocón |language=es}}</ref>

== Reactions == The scandal has been described as an illegal act and a breach of political and scientific ethics by the general public and various national and international media outlets covering the case. The actions of senior Peruvian officials, such as former President [[Martín Vizcarra]] and former ministers [[Pilar Mazzetti]] and [[Elizabeth Astete]], who accessed the vaccine irregularly, have been characterized as an ethical transgression,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Jorge Yamamoto: “Si uno se equivoca, no tiene la desfachatez de decir que el capitán es el último en saltar del barco” |trans-title=Jorge Yamamoto: “If one makes a mistake, one doesn’t have the audacity to say that the captain is the last to jump off the ship” |url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/pilar-mazzetti-jorge-yamamoto-si-uno-se-equivoca-no-tiene-la-desfachatez-de-decir-que-el-capitan-es-el-ultimo-en-saltar-del-barco-noticia-1321213 |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=La República}}</ref> as well as an illegal act. Meanwhile, the conduct of Germán Málaga, the leader of the research team, has been described as scientific misconduct.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Dr. Huerta sobre Germán Málaga: “Para mí, es un traficante” |trans-title=Dr. Huerta on Germán Málaga: “To me, he is a trafficker” |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2021/02/17/vacunagate-dr-huerta-sobre-german-malaga-para-mi-es-un-traficante/?ref=lre |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=La República}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Yamamoto sobre Málaga: Refleja cómo uno se va enredando con las mentiras |trans-title=Yamamoto on Málaga: It reflects how one gets entangled in lies |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2021/02/17/yamamoto-sobre-malaga-refleja-como-uno-se-va-enredando-con-las-mentiras/?ref=lre |access-date=October 16, 2025 |newspaper=La República}}</ref>

On February 26, Fernando Carbone, who chairs the investigative commission on improper vaccinations, specified that 470 individuals received the Sinopharm candidate vaccine dose without being part of the clinical trial, referring to the project’s volunteers. He explained that 369 individuals from the teams conducting the clinical trial were vaccinated, while 101 individuals, including personnel related to the study, Ministry of Health (Minsa) or Foreign Ministry staff, their close associates, and invitees, were also vaccinated. He noted that the first group received 706 doses, and the second group received 198 doses.<ref>{{cite web |title=VacunaGate: Comisión investigadora precisa que 470 personas recibieron las dosis adicionales |trans-title=VacunaGate: Investigative commission specifies that 470 individuals received the additional doses |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/vacunagate-oscar-ugarte-adelanto-que-informe-investigacion-se-tendra-25-febrero-n431643 |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=canaln.pe |language=es}}</ref>

== Scientific misconduct == Germán Málaga Rodríguez, a Peruvian doctor and professor at the [[Cayetano Heredia University]], confessed to administering candidate vaccines outside the protocol<ref>{{cite news |last=Cabral |first=Ernesto |last2=Castro |first2=Aramís |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Vacunas secretas: dosis fantasmas, violación del protocolo y nombres duplicados en la lista reportada. |trans-title=Secret vaccines: ghost doses, protocol violations, and duplicate names on the reported list |url=https://ojo-publico.com/2493/vacunas-secretas-dosis-fantasmas-y-violaciones-al-protocolo |work=Ojo Público}}</ref> related to the Vacunagate case. Along with Hugo García Lescano and other researchers, he led the [[Sinopharm (company)|Sinopharm]] clinical trial, being primarily responsible for clandestinely facilitating access to the vaccine for senior officials, university rectors, family members, and even former President [[Martín Vizcarra]]. These irregularities violated the scientific integrity code of CONCYTEC,<ref>{{cite web |first= |date=2019 |title=Código Nacional de la Integridad Científica |trans-title=National Code of Scientific Integrity |url=https://portal.concytec.gob.pe/images/publicaciones/Codigo-integridad-cientifica.pdf |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=CONCYTEC}}</ref> undermining ethical principles<ref>{{cite news |last=Polo Santillán |first=Miguel Ángel |date=February 22, 2021 |title=Vacunagate: dos problemas éticos. |trans-title=Vacunagate: two ethical issues |url=https://letras.unmsm.edu.pe/blog/apuntes/vacunagate-dos-problemas-eticos/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |work=LETRAS}}</ref> such as transparency, truthfulness, fairness, responsibility, objectivity, and impartiality. He was temporarily removed from his position as principal investigator at the university.<ref>{{cite web |last=GESTIÓN |first=NOTICIAS |date=July 14, 2021 |title=Vacunagate: Universidad Cayetano Heredia separa a Germán Málaga por un año NNDC {{!}} PERU |trans-title=Vacunagate: Cayetano Heredia University suspends Germán Málaga for one year NNDC {{!}} PERU |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/vacunagate-universidad-cayetano-heredia-separa-a-german-malaga-por-un-ano-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=Gestión |language=es}}</ref>

==See also== * [[2017–2021 Peruvian political crisis]] * [[Argentine COVID-19 vaccination scandal]] * {{Interlanguage link|Irregular COVID-19 vaccination scandals|lt=|es|Escándalos de vacunación irregular contra la COVID-19}}

==References== {{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{cite journal |last=Castorena |first=Oscar |last2=Lupu |first2=Noam |last3=Wolsky |first3=Adam D. |last4=Zechmeister |first4=Elizabeth J. |date=March 9, 2023 |title=Corruption and Political Support: The Case of Peru's Vacuna-gate Scandal |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-experimental-political-science/article/corruption-and-political-support-the-case-of-perus-vacunagate-scandal/E93C2058887D3CF77421235385C936A1 |journal=Journal of Experimental Political Science |language=en |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1017/XPS.2023.7 |issn=2052-2630 |access-date=October 16, 2025|doi-access=free }} {{Peruvian political crisis}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:2021 in Peru]] [[Category:2021 scandals]] [[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in Peru]] [[Category:Corruption in Peru]] [[Category:Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics]] [[Category:Medical scandals]]