Low jab turnout 600 out of 7,000

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Only 600 including prime minister Manasseh Sogavare have been vaccinated so far.

This is for the first three days of the vaccination programme, which is a low turnout with more than 6,000 to go in Honiara.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his special state address yesterday.      

“I am disappointed to learn that we have only vaccinated around 600 people in the first three days of vaccination in Honiara.

“We will not be able to protect this country from COVID-19 if most of our population that should be vaccinated are not vaccinated.

“I extremely disappointed that most of our front liners in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the National Referral Hospital, Honiara City Council Health and our front-line health personal from Guadalcanal province who have been identified top priority for vaccination had not turned up for vaccinations,” said Sogavare.

Deputy Chair to Over Sight Committee Dr Jimmie Rodger said as of Friday, March 19, less than six hundred have been vaccinated on the first three days.

“We have 7,000 doses for people in Honiara and the target population to be vaccinated are front liners and front-line ministries and agencies.

“Of those 500 plus, police is 300, meaning the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is mobilising well.

“Our also have some from immigration customs, bio security on Agriculture and Solomon Airlines to name a few and many of these small agencies have come in on the first three days.

“The biggest thing is that many of our front-line health professional not coming in and so we cannot protect this country if those of us that supposed to lead the way and suppose to protect others are not protecting ourselves,” said Rodgers.

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