BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
SOLOMON Islands Government has reportedly finalised its request to the Indian Government for 600,000 AstraZeneca vaccine.
Dr Culwick Togamana, minister for health and medical service, confirmed this during the welcome event of the 24,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine that arrived on Friday last week.
“Solomon Islands is taking proactive actions in its efforts to secure more vaccines for the population. Thus, we have finalised our request to the government of India for 600 thousand more AstraZeneca vaccines for our people.
“This is important to fulfill the government’s desire to get all of its eligible population vaccinated,” Togamana.
He said they are also anticipating another 20,000 doses of China vaccine known as Sinopharm covid-19 vaccine early next month from the People’s Republic of China.
“Once approved by World Health Organisation, we will also roll out the Sinopharm vaccine. So, thank you China.”
Togamana said they are also anticipating significant amount of financial support from the Australia and New Zealand governments for the procurement of more covid-19 vaccines with discussions on these now underway.
“Thus, I extend sincere thank you to Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
The first batch of AstraZeneca that arrived last week was made available through the COVAX facility by GAVI, the COVAX facility, Government of India and the Serum Institute in India.
