Argentine COVID-19 vaccination scandal

In Argentina, the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine was designated to be applied to the population considered essential or at risk, through a schedule and protocol established in the country's vaccination campaign against COVID-19.{{Cite news|title=Todo sobre las vacunas contra el coronavirus: dónde anotarse y cuándo comenzarán a aplicarlas|trans-title=All about vaccines against the coronavirus: where to sign up and when they will begin to apply them|url=https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/vacunas-coronavirus-anotarse-comenzaran-aplicarlas_0_mgjLjLCM3.html|date=16 February 2021|newspaper=Clarín|language=es}}{{Cite news|title=Vizzotti aseguró que el país tendrá "vacunas suficientes" para la población de riesgo|trans-title=Vizzotti assured that the country will have "sufficient vaccines" for the population at risk |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/321723-vizzotti-aseguro-que-el-pais-tendra-vacunas-suficientes-para|date=4 February 2021|newspaper=Página 12|language=es}}{{Cite news|first=Francisco|last=Reyes|title=Calculadora de vacunación COVID-19 en Argentina: en qué lugar de la fila estás|trans-title=COVID-19 vaccination calculator in Argentina: where in line are you?|url=https://www.infobae.com/tendencias/2021/01/22/calculadora-de-vacunacion-covid-19-en-argentina-en-que-lugar-de-la-fila-estas/|date=22 January 2021|website=Infobae|language=es}}

During the previous weeks, cases of politicians, political activists and other people who were not within the groups allowed to receive the vaccine but who nonetheless received it were disclosed.

Alejandro Cellillo, Second Vice President of the Buenos Aires Senate, stated that 400 vaccines disappeared and appeared at the Olavarría Oncology Hospital and said that this was due to "ideological and not technical health issues".{{cite web|url=https://www.elpopular.com.ar/nota/152825/la-campora-y-su-costumbre-de-privilegiar-la-ideologia-por-sobre-el-conocimiento|title="La Cámpora y su costumbre de privilegiar la ideología por sobre el conocimiento"|trans-title=La Cámpora and its habit of privileging ideology over knowledge|website=El Popular|language=es|access-date=2021-03-02|archive-date=2021-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414084244/https://www.elpopular.com.ar/nota/152825/la-campora-y-su-costumbre-de-privilegiar-la-ideologia-por-sobre-el-conocimiento|url-status=dead}}

Intellectual Beatriz Sarlo denounced that she was offered to be vaccinated "under the table," but refused to identify the people who offered it to her when asked, saying sarcastically that "they offered it to me from planet Mars".

File:Вакцина Спутник V.jpg vials]]

On 18 February 2021, reports began of an alleged secret operation to establish a vacunatorio VIP ("VIP vaccination center") in the building of the Ministry of Health.{{Cite news|last=Miri|first=Ignacio|title=Crónica de un despido y una confesión de Horacio Verbitsky fríamente calculada|trans-title=Chronicle of a dismissal and a confession of Horacio Verbitsky coldly calculated|url=https://www.clarin.com/politica/cronica-despido-confesion-horacio-verbitsky-friamente-calculada_0_40iTUaY6w.html|date=19 February 2021|newspaper=Clarín|language=es}}{{Cite news|last1=Mayol|first1=Federico|last2=Ortelli|first2=Ignacio|title=La historia secreta del vacunatorio VIP: Horacio Verbitsky, Jorge Taiana y Eduardo Valdés y la vacunación exprés|trans-title=The secret history of the VIP vaccination: Horacio Verbitsky, Jorge Taiana and Eduardo Valdés and express vaccination|url=https://www.clarin.com/politica/historia-secreta-vacunatorio-vip-horacio-verbitsky-jorge-taiana-eduardo-valdes-vacunacion-expres_0_E4lMcIN0z.html|date=19 February 2021|newspaper=Clarín|language=es}}

On 19 February 2021, after versions of the alleged operation began to be released, journalist Horacio Verbitsky, one of those vaccinated, decided to comment on the event on a radio program, indicating that he was vaccinated at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health:{{Cite news|title=Horacio Verbitsky contó que llamó a Ginés González García y fue vacunado en el Ministerio de Salud|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/polemica-horacio-verbitsky-conto-llamo-gines-gonzalez-nid2607158|date=19 February 2021|newspaper=La Nación|language=es|issn=0325-0946}}{{Cite news|title=Horacio Verbitsky admitió que llamó a Ginés González García y se vacunó en el Ministerio de Salud|trans-title=Horacio Verbitsky admitted that he called Ginés González García and was vaccinated at the Ministry of Health|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2021/02/19/horacio-verbitsky-admitio-que-llamo-a-gines-gonzalez-garcia-y-se-vacuno-en-el-ministerio-de-salud/|date=19 February 2021|website=Infobae|language=es}}

{{Blockquote|"Llamé a mi viejo amigo Ginés González García, a quien conozco de mucho antes que fuera ministro, y me dijo que tenía que ir al Hospital Posadas [...] cuando estaba por ir recibí un mensaje del secretario de Ginés, que me dijo que iba a venir un equipo de vacunadores del Posadas al Ministerio y que fuera a darme la vacuna."{{Cite news|title=El audio del periodista Verbitsky: "Llamé a mi viejo amigo Gines"|url=https://www.lmneuquen.com/el-audio-del-periodista-verbitsky-llame-mi-viejo-amigo-gines-n773924|date=19 February 2021|website=La Mañana Neuquén|language=es}}

("I called my old friend Ginés González García, whom I have known long before he was a minister, and he told me that I had to go to the Posadas Hospital [...] when I was about to go I received a message from Ginés's secretary, who told me that a team of vaccinators from Posadas would come to the Ministry and give me the vaccine.")}}

The report of the event in the media made it known other people who would have been vaccinated in violation of the limitations dictated by the protocol;{{cite web|url=https://periodismoypunto.com/2021/02/verbitsky-revelo-que-se-vacuno-contra-el-covid-19-gracias-a-su-viejo-amigo-gines/|title=Verbitsky reveló que se vacunó contra el Covid-19 gracias a su «viejo amigo» Ginés|trans-title=Verbitsky revealed that he was vaccinated against Covid-19 thanks to his "old friend" Ginés|website=Periodismo y Punto|language=es|date=19 February 2021|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=20 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220032907/https://periodismoypunto.com/2021/02/verbitsky-revelo-que-se-vacuno-contra-el-covid-19-gracias-a-su-viejo-amigo-gines/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2021/02/19/no-solo-verbitsky-la-lista-de-vacunados-vip-del-ministerio-de-gonzalez-garcia/|title=No solo Verbitsky: la lista de vacunados VIP del Ministerio de González García|trans-title=Not only Verbitsky: the list of vaccinated VIPs of the Ministry of González García|website=Infobae|language=es|date=19 February 2021}} among them are Jorge Taiana (senator), Eduardo Valdés (deputy), Florencio Aldrey Iglesias (businessman, owner of the newspaper La Capital of Mar del Plata and several hotels), Dolores Noya Aldrey (Aldrey's relative), Lourdes Noya Aldrey (Aldrey's relative), Dolores Noya Aldrey (Aldrey's relative), Salomón Schachter (traumatologist, professor emeritus of the University of Buenos Aires), and Seza Manukian (businessman), among others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2021/02/21/uno-por-uno-quienes-son-los-dirigentes-y-funcionarios-que-ya-se-aplicaron-la-vacuna-contra-el-coronavirus/|title=Uno por uno, quiénes son los dirigentes y funcionarios que ya se aplicaron la vacuna contra el coronavirus|trans-title=One by one, who are the leaders and officials who have already applied the coronavirus vaccine|website=Infobae|language=es|date=21 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.clarin.com/politica/lista-vacunatorio-vip-politicos-empresario-entorno-medicos-amigos_0_sBjhX4r_u.html|title=La lista del vacunatorio VIP: políticos, un empresario y su entorno y médicos amigos|trans-title=The VIP vaccination list: politicians, a businessman and his entourage and doctor friends|newspaper=Clarín|date=19 February 2021}} The newspaper La Nación reported that Ginés González García reserved 3,000 doses to distribute among political figures, and that his nephew also received a dose.{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/el-sobrino-gines-moyano-diez-vacunados-sin-nid2607262|title=Vacunación VIP: Ginés González García se reservó 3000 dosis para distribuir, a las que accedieron su sobrino y varias figuras políticas|trans-title=VIP vaccination: Ginés González García reserved 3000 doses to distribute, to which his nephew and several political figures had access to|newspaper=La Nación|language=es|date=19 February 2021|last1=Jastreblansky|first1=Maia}}

The press also revealed that trade unionist Hugo Moyano, his wife and their youngest son had been vaccinated.{{cite news|url=https://www.adnsur.com.ar/sociedad/escandalo-por-la--vacunacion-vip---hugo-moyano--su-esposa-y-su-hijo-menor-recibieron-la-vacuna-rusa_a603020df26aea869b3462cb8|title=Escándalo por la "vacunación VIP": Hugo Moyano, su esposa y su hijo menor recibieron la vacuna rusa|trans-title="VIP vaccination" scandal: Hugo Moyano, his wife and their youngest son received the Russian vaccine|website=ANDSUR|language=es|date=19 February 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.mdzol.com/politica/2021/2/19/vacunatorio-vip-la-familia-moyano-felipe-sola-tambien-la-recibieron-140246.html|title=Escándalo: Moyano y la lista de los otros vacunados VIP|trans-title=Scandal: Moyano and the list of other vaccinated VIPs|website=Mendoza Post|language=es|date=19 February 2021}} Moyano later indicated that his case was not that of a "vaccinated VIP", maintaining that he received the vaccine (among the given to the health personnel by the government of the City of Buenos Aires) for being president of two social works, and his relatives for working in a sanatorium.{{Cite news|title=Hugo Moyano fue vacunado en el Antártida por ser presidente de dos obras sociales|trans-title=Hugo Moyano was vaccinated in Antártida for being president of two social works|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202102/545153-hugo-moyano-dijo-que-fue-vacunado-por-ser-presidente-de-dos-obras-sociales.html|archivedate=2023-08-04|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20230804221620/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202102/545153-hugo-moyano-dijo-que-fue-vacunado-por-ser-presidente-de-dos-obras-sociales.html|date=20 February 2021|website=Télam|language=es}}{{Cite news|title=Hugo Moyano: "Estoy vacunado porque soy el presidente de dos obras sociales"|trans-title=Hugo Moyano: "I am vaccinated because I am the president of two social works"|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/hugo-moyano-estoy-vacunado-porque-soy-presidente-nid2608156|date=20 February 2021|newspaper=La Nación|language=es}}{{Cite news|last=Carpena|first=Ricardo|title=Hugo Moyano: "Me vacuné con mi mujer y mi hijo menor con una provisión del Gobierno de la Ciudad para el Sanatorio Antártida"|trans-title=Hugo Moyano: "I was vaccinated with my wife and my youngest son with a provision of the City Government for the Antártida Sanatorium"|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2021/02/20/hugo-moyano-me-vacune-con-mi-mujer-y-mi-hijo-menor-con-una-provision-del-gobierno-de-la-ciudad-para-el-sanatorio-antartida/|date=20 February 2021|website=Infobae|language=es}}

On 22 February, the government released a list of people who were vaccinated at the Posadas Hospital at the request of the Ministry of Health.{{Cite news|title=La lista de personas vacunadas a requerimiento del Ministerio de Salud|trans-title=The list of people vaccinated at the request of the Ministry of Health|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202102/545339-listado-ministerio-de-salud-vacunas.html|archivedate=2023-12-02|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20231202154445/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202102/545339-listado-ministerio-de-salud-vacunas.html|date=22 February 2021|website=Télam|language=es}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.laizquierdadiario.com/De-Duhalde-a-Scioli-conoce-la-lista-de-los-vacunados-vip|title=Lista de vacunados vip: empresarios, políticos y amigos del poder|trans-title=List of vaccinated VIP: businessmen, politicians and friends of power|accessdate=22 February 2021|date=22 February 2021|newspaper=La Izquierda Diario|language=es}} In social media, some fake news about alleged lists of vaccinated, including the names of celebrities such as television hosts Alejandro Fantino, Marcelo Tinelli, and Ángel De Brito, actor Pablo Echarri and former President Mauricio Macri, were spread.{{Cite news|title=El descargo de Alejandro Fantino tras ser incluido en una lista de vacunados vip: "Antes de pedir un turno por izquierda, prefiero infectarme 177 veces"|trans-title=Alejandro Fantino's discharge after being included in a list of VIP vaccinated: "Before requesting an appointment from the left, I prefer to be infected 177 times"|url=https://www.infobae.com/teleshow/infoshow/2021/02/22/el-descargo-de-alejandro-fantino-tras-ser-incluido-en-una-lista-de-vacunados-vip-antes-de-pedir-un-turno-por-izquierda-prefiero-infectarme-177-veces/|date=22 February 2021|website=Infobae|language=es}}{{Cite news|title=Marcelo Tinelli, Ángel De Brito y Pablo Echarri, entre los famosos indignados por haber sido incluidos en una lista de vacunados vip: "Es mentira"|trans-title=Marcelo Tinelli, Ángel De Brito and Pablo Echarri, among the famous outraged by having been included in a list of vaccinated VIP: "It's a lie" |url=https://www.infobae.com/teleshow/infoshow/2021/02/22/marcelo-tinelli-angel-de-brito-y-pablo-echarri-entre-los-famosos-indignados-por-haber-sido-incluidos-en-una-lista-de-vacunados-vip-es-mentira/|date=22 February 2021|website=Infobae|language=es}}{{Cite news|title=Mauricio Macri negó haberse vacunado contra el coronavirus y criticó al gobierno nacional: "Comparto la indignación de los argentinos"|trans-title=Mauricio Macri denied having been vaccinated against the coronavirus and criticized the national government: "I share the outrage of the Argentines"|url=https://www.eltrecetv.com.ar/noticias/mauricio-macri-nego-haberse-vacunado-contra-el-coronavirus-y-critico-al-gobierno-nacional_145392|website=El Trece|date=22 February 2021|language=es}}

Once the scandal was made public, President Alberto Fernández requested the resignation of Ginés González García.{{Cite news|last=Mander|first=Benedict|title=Argentina's health minister fired in 'VIP vaccines' scandal|url=https://www.ft.com/content/23828ca6-b684-4dca-9efa-d72765d52bb4|date=19 February 2020|newspaper=Financial Times|location=London|issn=1476-8844}}{{cite news|url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/actualidad/vacunacion-vip-alberto-fernandez-le-pidio-renuncia-gines-gonzalez-garcia.phtml|title=Alberto Fernández le pidió a Ginés González García la renuncia|trans-title=Alberto Fernández asked Ginés González García to resign|newspaper=Perfil|language=es|date=19 February 2021}} González García delivered a letter of resignation, alleging that there was an "involuntary error" from his private secretary.{{cite news|url=http://www.laprensa.com.ar/499268-Gonzalez-Garcia-presento-formalmente-su-renuncia-y-dijo-que-hubo-un-error-involuntario-de-su-secretaria-.note.aspx|title=González García presentó formalmente su renuncia y dijo que hubo un "error involuntario" de su secretaria|trans-title=González García formally submitted his resignation and said that there was an "involuntary error" by his secretary|website=La Prensa|language=es|date=19 February 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/politica/gines-gonzalez-garcia-se-despidio-culpando-a-una-confusion-de-su-secretaria-privada.phtml|title=Ginés González García se despidió y culpó del Vacunatorio VIP a una "confusión" de su secretaría privada|trans-title=Ginés González García said goodbye and blamed the VIP Vaccination on a "confusion" of his private secretary|newspaper=Perfil|language=es|date=19 February 2021}} The resignation was accepted thanking "the resigning official for the valuable services rendered in the performance of his post," and he was replaced by Carla Vizzotti in February 20.{{cite news|url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/politica/carla-vizzotti-reemplazara-a-gines-gonzalez-garcia-tras-el-escandalo-vacunatorio-vip.phtml|title=Carla Vizzotti reemplaza a Ginés González García tras el escándalo "Vacunatorio VIP"|trans-title=Carla Vizzotti replaces Ginés González García after the "VIP Vaccination" scandal|newspaper=Perfil|language=es|date=19 February 2021}}

After the scandal, fifteen complaints were filed in the federal court against Ginés González García, Carla Vizzotti, Alberto Fernández, Hugo Moyano, Horacio Verbitsky, Jorge Taiana and Eduardo Valdés, among others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/es/llueven-denuncias-sobre-vacunaci%C3%B3n-vip-en-argentina/a-56638653|title=Llueven denuncias sobre "vacunación VIP" en Argentina|trans-title=Complaints raining down on "VIP vaccination" in Argentina|website=DW in Spanish|language=es|date=21 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2021/02/22/vacunatorio-vip-la-primera-denuncia-contra-gines-gonzalez-garcia-sera-investigada-por-la-jueza-capuchetti-y-el-fiscal-taiano/|title=Vacunatorio vip: se presentaron 13 denuncias contra Ginés González García que serán investigada por la jueza Capuchetti y el fiscal Taiano|trans-title=Vip vaccination: 13 complaints were filed against Ginés González García that will be investigated by Judge Capuchetti and prosecutor Taiano|date=22 February 2021|website=Infobae|language=es}}{{Cite web|url=https://tn.com.ar/politica/2021/02/22/el-vacunatorio-vip-suma-15-denuncias-y-una-investigacion-en-la-provincia-de-buenos-aires-podria-destapar-otro-escandalo/|title=El vacunatorio VIP suma 15 denuncias y una investigación en la provincia de Buenos Aires podría destapar otro escándalo|trans-title=The VIP vaccination center adds 15 complaints and an investigation in the province of Buenos Aires could uncover another scandal|date=22 February 2021|website=TN|language=es}}

Federal prosecutor Guillermo Marijuan formally charged Ginés González García and Horacio Verbitsky for alleged "abuse of authority and non-compliance of a public official", stating that "they would constitute the crime provided for in article 248 of the Penal Code",{{cite news|url=https://elintransigente.com/2021/02/el-fiscal-guillermo-marijuan-denuncio-penalmente-a-gines-gonzalez-garcia-y-a-horacio-verbitsky/|title=El fiscal Guillermo Marijuan denunció penalmente a Ginés González García y a Horacio Verbitsky|trans-title=Prosecutor Guillermo Marijuan criminally denounced Ginés González García and Horacio Verbitsky|website=El Intransigente|language=es|date=20 February 2021|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=20 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220053612/https://elintransigente.com/2021/02/el-fiscal-guillermo-marijuan-denuncio-penalmente-a-gines-gonzalez-garcia-y-a-horacio-verbitsky/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ambito.com/politica/gines-gonzalez-garcia/marijuan-denuncio-gonzalez-garcia-y-verbitsky-n5171215|title=Marijuan denunció a González García y Verbitsky|trans-title=Marijuan denounced González García and Verbitsky|website=Ámbito|language=es|date=19 February 2021}} and qualifying the deed as "an act of unusual institutional gravity".{{cite news|url=http://www.laprensa.com.ar/499274-Marijuan-presento-una-denuncia-penal-contra-el-ex-ministro-de-Salud-.note.aspx|title=Marijuan presentó una denuncia penal contra el ex ministro de Salud|trans-title=Marijuan filed a criminal complaint against the former Minister of Health|website=La Prensa|language=es|date=20 February 2021}}

The case fell to the court of María Eugenia Capuchetti and its investigation is in charge of the prosecutor Eduardo Taiano, who charged González García in principle with "abuse of authority." Likewise, Taiano considered that "it is an act of unusual institutional gravity because not only is it not complying with the duties of a public official, but it is also preventing a person considered to be at greater risk and who needs to be vaccinated from doing so".{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarin.com/politica/15-denuncias-vacunatorio-vip-justicia-pone-foco-gobierno_0_yHcsztz3V.html|title=Hay al menos 15 denuncias por el vacunatorio VIP y el fiscal ya imputó al ex ministro Ginés González|trans-title=There are at least 15 complaints about the VIP vaccination and the prosecutor has already charged former minister Ginés González|last=Salinas|first=Lucía|date=22 February 2021|newspaper=Clarín|language=es}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdzol.com/politica/2021/2/22/imputaron-gines-gonzalez-garcia-por-abuso-de-autoridad-140785.html|title=Imputaron a Ginés González García por "abuso de autoridad"|website=MDZ Online|language=es|date=22 February 2021}}

On 22 February, police and judicial personnel carried out a raid at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health of the Nation, where documentation and images from the security cameras were seized to corroborate what was denounced and verify if there were more vaccinated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdzol.com/politica/2021/2/22/allanaron-el-ministerio-de-salud-por-el-vacunatorio-vip-140814.html|title=Allanaron el Ministerio de Salud por el Vacunatorio VIP|trans-title=Ministry of Health raided for the VIP Vaccination|website=MDZ Online|language=es|date=22 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdzol.com/politica/2021/2/23/vacunacion-vip-se-llevaron-las-camaras-del-ministerio-de-salud-para-ver-si-hubo-otros-beneficiados-140919.html|title=Vacunación VIP: Se llevaron las cámaras del ministerio de Salud para ver si hubo otros beneficiados|trans-title=VIP vaccination: The cameras of the Ministry of Health were taken to see if there were other beneficiaries|website=MDZ Online|language=es|date=23 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/325432-vacunados-allanan-el-ministerio-de-salud|title=Vacunados: allanan el Ministerio de Salud|trans-title=Vaccinated: they raid the Ministry of Health |last=Hauser|first=Irina|date=23 February 2021|website=Página 12|language=es}}

Radical Civic Union (UCR) leader Alfredo Cornejo stated that "the ruling party has just destroyed the hope of the Argentines."{{cite web|url=https://marcelobonelli.cienradios.com/fuerte-repudio-de-la-oposicion-al-vacunatorio-vip/|title=Fuerte repudio de la oposición al "vacunatorio VIP"|trans-title=Strong repudiation of the opposition to the "VIP vaccination"|first=Marcelo|last=Bonelli|website=Radio Mitre|language=es|date=19 February 2021}} The president of Republican Proposal (PRO), Patricia Bullrich, stated that "in Argentina there are two classes of people: citizens who pay taxes and with those their vaccines, and the friends of power, who go to the Ministry and get vaccinated".{{cite news|url=https://infocielo.com/vacunas/vip-la-oposicion-recogio-el-guante-y-disparo-n704687|title=Vacunas vip: la oposición recogió el guante y disparó|trans-title=VIP vaccines: the opposition picked up the glove and fired |website=Infocielo|language=es|date=19 February 2021}}

In the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, a request was presented for interpellation to the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers, Santiago Cafiero, for the VIP vaccination scandal.{{cite web|url=https://www.cronista.com/economia-politica/diputados-radicales-piden-interpelar-a-santiago-cafiero-por-el-vacunatorio-vip/|title=Diputados radicales piden interpelar a Santiago Cafiero por el "vacunatorio VIP"|trans-title=Radical deputies ask to question Santiago Cafiero for the "VIP vaccination"|website=Cronista|language=es|date=20 February 2021}}

Requests for reports were submitted, both to the national government and to that of the Province of Buenos Aires, by various legislators.{{cite news|url=https://www.parlamentario.com/2021/02/20/diputados-de-la-oposicion-pidieron-informes-al-gobierno-por-el-escandalo-del-vacunatorio-vip/|title=Diputados de la oposición pidieron informes al Gobierno por el escándalo del "vacunatorio VIP"|trans-title=Opposition deputies asked the government for reports on the "VIP vaccination" scandal|website=Parlamentario|language=es|date=20 February 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2021/02/21/vacunas-vip-la-oposicion-denuncio-que-militantes-oficialistas-de-la-plata-recibieron-dosis-contra-el-covid-19/|title=Vacunas VIP: la oposición denunció que militantes oficialistas de La Plata recibieron dosis contra el COVID-19|trans-title=VIP vaccines: Opposition denounced that official militants from La Plata received doses against COVID-19|website=Infobae|language=es|date=20 February 2021}}

Eduardo Valdés said that "Ginés sent me to the Ministry of Health to get vaccinated," indicating that "We were summoned to a vaccination, there were four doctors, nothing illegal. Here it is not possible to get vaccinated illegally because everything is in writing, there is a record" and that "on Sunday nights the entourage leaves and it seems to me that it is the right thing to do for a person my age."{{cite web|url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/politica/la-justificacion-de-eduardo-valdes-tras-vacunarse-es-lo-que-corresponde-para-una-persona-de-mi-edad.phtml|title=La justificación de Eduardo Valdés tras vacunarse: "Es lo que corresponde para una persona de mi edad"|trans-title=The justification of Eduardo Valdés after being vaccinated: "It is what corresponds for a person of my age"|website=Perfil|language=es|date=19 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.infoveloz.com/post/eduardo-valdes-tras-recibir-la-vacuna-contra-el-covid-19-no-pense-que-estaba-haciendo-algo-ilegal_220080|title=Eduardo Valdés tras recibir la vacuna contra el COVID-19: "No pensé que estaba haciendo algo ilegal"|trans-title=Eduardo Valdés after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine: "I didn't think I was doing something illegal"|website=Infoveloz|language=es|date=19 February 2021}}

In a joint statement, Taiana and Valdés argued that "we never exercised a privilege" to access the vaccine and that their cases apply to the priority category of strategic personnel: "Any person who develops management and/or leadership functions and functions necessary strategies for the proper functioning of the state", as established by the strategic plan for vaccination against COVID-19 in Argentina.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202102/545192-taiana-y-valdes-explicaron-que-jamas-ejercieron-un-privilegio-para-acceder-a-la-vacuna.html|archivedate=2021-09-26|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20210926182653/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202102/545192-taiana-y-valdes-explicaron-que-jamas-ejercieron-un-privilegio-para-acceder-a-la-vacuna.html|title="Jamás ejercimos un privilegio" para acceder a la vacuna, explicaron Taiana y Valdés|trans-title="We never exercised a privilege" to access the vaccine, explained Taiana and Valdés |website=Télam|language=es|date=20 February 2021}}

Journalist Roberto Navarro dismissed Verbitsky from his radio station El Destape, stating that "what he did is immoral".{{cite news|url=https://www.losandes.com.ar/politica/es-una-inmoralidad-lo-que-hizo-roberto-navarro-echo-a-horacio-verbitsky-de-radio-el-destape/|title="Es una inmoralidad lo que hizo": Roberto Navarro echó a Horacio Verbitsky de radio El Destape|trans-title="What he did is immoral": Roberto Navarro fired Horacio Verbitsky from radio El Destape|website=Los Andes|language=es|date=19 February 2021}} In turn, the Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS), an organization of which Verbitsky is a member, also distanced itself from the situation and on its Twitter account showed its rejection, stating: "We received news that the president of our organization was vaccinated outside the established system, through a chain of favors and on a personal basis, while we were trying, like everyone else, to get an appointment for the elderly in our families".{{cite news|url=https://www.cronista.com/economia-politica/el-cels-se-despega-de-verbitsky-y-roberto-navarro-lo-echo-de-su-medio/|title=El CELS se despega de Verbitsky y Roberto Navarro lo echó de su medio|trans-title=CELS distances itself from Verbitsky and Roberto Navarro kicked him out of his media|website=El Cronista|language=es|date=19 February 2021}}

President Alberto Fernández removed Senator Jorge Taiana and Deputy Eduardo Valdés, accused of having been vaccinated irregularly, from the delegation of an official trip to Mexico.{{cite news|url=https://www.elsol.com.ar/vacunas-vip-el-presidente-bajo-a-valdes-y-a-taiana-del-viaje-a-mexico|title=Vacunas VIP: el presidente bajó a Valdés y a Taiana del viaje a México|trans-title=VIP vaccines: the president took Valdés and Taiana down from the trip to Mexico|website=El Sol|date=19 February 2021}}

On 27 February 2021, a protest was held, called by the opposition, and with the presence of figures such as the president of the PRO, Patricia Bullrich and former presidential candidate José Luis Espert.{{Cite news|title=27F: los referentes de la oposición se muestran activos en la marcha y lanzan duras críticas al Gobierno|trans-title=27F: Opposition leaders are active in the march and harsh criticism of the Government|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/27f-referentes-oposicion-se-muestran-activos-marcha-nid2615200|date=27 February 2021|newspaper=La Nación|language=es}}{{Cite news|title=El cordial saludo de Milei y Bullrich en la marcha del 27F|trans-title=The cordial greetings of Milei and Bullrich in the march of the 27F|url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/politica/cordial-saludo-javier-milei-patricia-bullrich-marcha-27f.phtml|date=27 February 2021|newspaper=Perfil|language=es}} A large number of people protested in front of the Casa Rosada.{{Cite news|title="Vacunas VIP": Argentina protesta en las calles tras escándalo|trans-title="Vacunas VIP": Argentina protests in the streets after scandal|url=https://www.dw.com/es/vacunas-vip-argentina-protesta-en-las-calles-tras-esc%C3%A1ndalo/a-56727380|date=27 February 2021|website=DW in Spanish|language=es}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20210228-covidhoy-protestas-opositoras-en-argentina-contra-la-vacunaci%C3%B3n-vip|title=Protestas opositoras en Argentina contra la 'Vacunación VIP'|trans-title=Opposition protests in Argentina against 'VIP Vaccination' |date=28 February 2021|website=France 24|language=es}} There were also protests in other areas of the country, including Bariloche, Córdoba, Neuquén and in front of Quinta de Olivos.{{Cite news|title=Vacunación VIP: la marcha del #27F contra el Gobierno Nacional en Córdoba|trans-title=VIP vaccination: the march of #27F against the National Government in Córdoba|url=https://eldoce.tv/politica/vacunacion-vip-marcha-27f-contra-gobierno-cordoba-coronavirus_110049|date=27 February 2021|website=El Doce|language=es}}{{Cite news|title=Con marchas y caravanas, la protesta contra el Gobierno se sintió en la región|trans-title=With marches and caravans, the protest against the Government was felt in the region|url=https://www.rionegro.com.ar/con-marchas-y-caravanas-la-protesta-contra-el-gobierno-se-sintio-en-la-region-1707312/|date=27 February 2021|newspaper=Diario Río Negro|language=es}} In this last place there were physical confrontations between opposition protesters and others with wearing emblems of the CGT.{{Cite news|title=Incidentes en la Quinta de Olivos durante la manifestación contra el Gobierno|trans-title=Incidents in Quinta de Olivos during the demonstration against the Government|url=https://www.lavoz.com.ar/politica/incidentes-en-quinta-de-olivos-durante-manifestacion-contra-gobierno|date=27 February 2021|newspaper=La Voz del Interior|language=es}}{{Cite news|title=Militantes con remeras de la CGT agredieron a los manifestantes frente a la Quinta de Olivos|trans-title=Militants wearing CGT T-shirts attacked the protesters in front of the Quinta de Olivos|url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2021/02/27/tension-frente-a-la-quinta-de-olivos-entre-un-grupo-que-apoya-a-alberto-fernandez-y-manifestantes-que-protestan-por-el-vacunatorio-vip/|website=Infobae|language=es|date=27 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Video: el ataque de un sindicalista a un jubilado en Olivos|trans-title=Video: a unionist's attack on a retiree in Olivos|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/video-ataque-sindicalista-jubilado-olivos-nid2615208|date=28 February 2021|newspaper=La Nación|language=es}}

A group of protesters, belonging to the group Jóvenes Republicanos ("Young Republicans"), the youth wing of the PRO, hung body bags on the gate of the government house, which according to them represent the people who would have died from COVID-19 because the vaccines that could have gone to them were applied to the people involved in the scandal.{{Cite news|title=Protesters in Buenos Aires decry COVID vaccine scandal|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/02/28/people-take-to-streets-in-buenos-aires-to-protest-covid-vaccine-scandal|date=28 February 2021|website=Euronews}}{{Cite news|title=Argentina: repudio a la exhibición de bolsas mortuorias en protesta|trans-title=Argentina: repudiation of the display of mortuary bags in protest|url=https://www.dw.com/es/argentina-repudio-a-la-exhibici%C3%B3n-de-bolsas-mortuorias-en-protesta/a-56732249|date=1 March 2021|website=DW in Spanish|language=es}}{{Cite news|title="Representan a los argentinos que murieron": el comunicado de Jóvenes Republicanos, que montaron las "bolsas con cadáveres" en la Casa Rosada|trans-title="They represent the Argentines who died": the statement of Young Republicans, who assembled the "bags with bodies" in the Casa Rosada|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/representan-argentinos-murieron-comunicado-jovenes-republicanos-montaron-nid2615950|date=28 February 2021|newspaper=La Nación|language=es}} The bags had the legend "Estaba esperando la vacuna, pero se la aplicó..." ("[He/she/they] was waiting for the vaccine, but [instead] was applied to...") followed by the name of some of the people accused of being "VIP vaccinated", including: the president of Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo Estela de Carlotto, former president Eduardo Duhalde and his wife Hilda González de Duhalde, the in-laws of the president of the Chamber of Deputies Sergio Massa, and the ambassador to Brazil and former presidential candidate Daniel Scioli.{{Cite news|title=Protesta contra vacunación VIP enfada a Fernández|trans-title=Protest against VIP vaccination angers Fernández|url=https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/internacionales/Protesta-contra-vacunacion-VIP-enfada-a-Fernandez-20210228-0057.html|date=28 February 2021|newspaper=El Economista|location=Mexico City|language=es}}{{Cite news|title="Bolsas de cadáveres" frente a la Casa Rosada|trans-title="Body bags" in front of the Casa Rosada|url=https://www.eldia.com/nota/2021-2-27-18-6-0--bolsas-de-cadaveres-frente-a-la-casa-rosada--politica-y-economia|date=27 February 2021|website=El Día|location=La Plata|language=es}} However, some people interpreted the body bags to represent the people whose names were printed on them, wishing for their deaths, and condemned the form of protest.{{Cite news|title=La protesta opositora en Plaza de Mayo dejó una postal que generó fuertes repudios|trans-title=The opposition protest in Plaza de Mayo left a postcard that generated strong repudiation|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202102/545863-protesta-opositora-plaza-de--mayo.html|archivedate=2024-02-22|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20240222072412/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202102/545863-protesta-opositora-plaza-de--mayo.html|date=27 February 2021|website=Télam|language=es}} Among those who condemned it were president Alberto Fernández,{{Cite tweet|number=1365797549408403460|user=alferdez|title=La forma de manifestarse en democracia no puede ser exhibir frente a la Casa Rosada bolsas mortuorias con nombres de dirigentes políticos. Esta acción lamentable solo demuestra cómo muchos opositores conciben la República. No callemos ante semejante acto de barbarie.|trans-title=The way to demonstrate in democracy cannot be to display mortuary bags with names of political leaders in front of the Casa Rosada. This regrettable action only shows how many opponents conceive the Republic. Let us not be silent before such an act of barbarism.|author=Alberto Fernández|authorlink=Alberto Fernández|date=27 February 2021|language=es}} alongside his Chief of Cabinet, the ministers of the Interior and Defense, and various human rights organizations.{{Cite news|title=La macabra instalación de bolsas mortuorias en la marcha opositora|trans-title=The macabre installation of mortuary bags in the opposition march|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/326489-la-macabra-instalacion-de-bolsas-mortuorias-en-la-marcha-opo|date=27 February 2021|newspaper=Página 12|language=es}}{{Cite news|title=Repudian en Argentina la exhibición de bolsas mortuorias en marcha opositora|trans-title=Condemned in Argentina the exhibition of mortuary bags in opposition march|url=https://www.france24.com/es/minuto-a-minuto/20210228-repudian-en-argentina-la-exhibici%C3%B3n-de-bolsas-mortuorias-en-marcha-opositora|date=28 February 2021|newspaper=France 24|agency=Agence France-Presse|language=es}} The president of Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo criticized Bullrich and indicated that the organization's lawyers would seek a way to "condemn from the law" the events.{{Cite news|title=Bolsas mortuorias: Estela Carlotto dijo que Patricia Bullrich se convirtió en un "monstruo"|trans-title=Mortuary bags: Estela Carlotto said that Patricia Bullrich became a "monster"|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/bolsas-mortuorias-casi-me-dan-lastima-dijo-nid2616000|date=28 February 2021|newspaper=La Nación|language=es}} Former president Mauricio Macri supported the demonstration, without referring to the controversy over the body bags.{{cite web|url=http://www.laprensa.com.ar/499527-Macri-apoyo-la-protesta-desde-su-casa.note.aspx|title=Macri apoyó la protesta desde su casa|trans-title=Macri supported the protest from his home |date=27 February 2021|website=La Prensa|language=es}}{{Cite news|title="Emocionado y contento": el mensaje de Mauricio Macri sobre la marcha|trans-title="Excited and happy": Mauricio Macri's message on the march|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/emocionado-contento-mauricio-macri-marcha-nid2615221|date=27 February 2021|newspaper=La Nación|language=es}} Jóvenes Republicanos defended the installation, arguing that "they clearly represent the Argentines who died due to the irresponsible handling of the pandemic."{{Cite tweet|number=1365831310208565252|user=UNRepublicana|author=Unión Republicana|title=El Presidente vuelve a mentir y busca a través del relato convertirnos en lo que no somos. Hoy dejamos bultos en la puerta de Casa Rosada. El texto muestra claramente que representan a los argentinos fallecidos por su irresponsable manejo de la pandemia.|trans-title=The President lies again and seeks through the story to make us what we are not. Today we left bundles at the door of Casa Rosada. The text clearly shows that they represent the Argentines who died due to his irresponsible handling of the pandemic.|date=27 February 2021|language=es}}

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COVID-19 vaccination scandal

Category:2021 controversies

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COVID-19 vaccination scandal

Category:Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics

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