South Sudan receives first batch of Covid-19 vaccines
According to the WHO, through the Covax facility, 732,000 doses of vaccines are expected to be deployed to South Sudan in the first six months of 2021.
JOHANNESBURG, March 25 (ANA) – South Sudan has on Thursday received the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines through the Covax facility.
In a statement on Thursday the World Health Organization (WHO) said 132,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine arrived at Juba International Airport.
The Covax facility is a global partnership comprising the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi –the Vaccine Alliance, Unicef and the WHO. It was established to ensure equitable access Covid-19 vaccines for all countries.
According to the WHO, the first Covax-supported shipment of vaccines would target health-care workers as well as persons aged 65 years and older, given their increased risk of severe disease and death due to Covid-19 infection. The health-care workers include doctors, nurses, community-based health workers and social mobilisers, among others.
“The Covid-19 vaccine will help us to protect our population against Covid-19 infections and prepare for a return to a normal life. We are grateful to all partners for their support in facilitating the arrival of the vaccines in our country,” said Health Minister Elizabeth Achuei.
In addition to the Covax shipment of vaccines, 132,500 syringes and 1,325 boxes for the safe disposal of syringes arrived.
According to the WHO, through the Covax facility, 732,000 doses of vaccines are expected to be deployed to South Sudan in the first six months of 2021.
“Today is a historic day for South Sudan and its fight against Covid-19,” said Gavi senior country manager for South Sudan, Patience Musanhu.
“This delivery is the product of an unprecedented global partnership to ensure every country has access to Covid-19 vaccines. These vaccines are safe, they are effective and they will be an important tool in the fight against this disease.”
The Covid-19 vaccination campaign in South Sudan will start soon. Plans for implementing vaccine activities in all 80 counties are being developed. Health-care workers are being trained prior to vaccine deployment.
Over the next several months through to the end of 2022, South Sudan plans to vaccinate 40% of its population as outlined in the country’s Covid-19 national deployment and vaccination plan.
“The arrival of the vaccines is the first step towards a normal life, which is an important step for children and their future, as we know they have been hit the hardest by all the Covid-19 restrictions,” said Unicef South Sudan representative Hamida Lasseko.
“We are delighted the hard work over the last weeks has paid off and we will have no rest until vaccines are brought to those most in need across the country and the vaccination campaign starts.”
According to the WHO, a person being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine requires two doses to ensure optimal immune response. The Covid-19 vaccination in South Sudan will be provided on a voluntary basis and free of charge. All people receiving the vaccine will be asked to give consent prior to being vaccinated.
“We are thrilled that we received the vaccine,” said Dr Fabian Ndenzako, WHO representative for South Sudan.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
