BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
WORLD Health Organisation office in Solomon Islands has promised to support government in giving direction for safe administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
This was conveyed by Dr Sevil Huseynova, WHO country representative, at the official launch and rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday.
“WHO is committed to continuing to support the Government in monitoring the safe administration of these vaccines. We will be helping support the setup of the new Covid-19 Vaccine database to evaluate vaccine coverage. Also, we will be ensuring the community is well informed and educated about these vaccines and the country’s rollout plans,” said Sevil.
She said these 24,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine, provided through the COVAX Facility, is part of the global partnership’s effort to ensure the equitable distribution of at least two billion doses of covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.
“I would like to remind everyone that as vaccines start to roll out around the world, we must remember that they only complement, and not replace, our other proven public health measures.
“As we still don’t know how long these vaccines provide protection and if they stop us transmitting the virus, we must continue to apply the tried-and-tested measures, including physical distancing, wearing masks if recommended, regularly cleaning our hands, as well as the other measures to test, trace, isolate and treat cases. No country will be safe from the pandemic until all countries are protected,” said Huseynova.
She said the roll out is another step in the right direction towards the ultimate global goal of helping combat this global pandemic.
“And so, once again I reaffirm WHO’s commitment to supporting the Government and people of Solomon Islands in their Covid-19 pandemic response plans and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in its priority health improvement agenda,” said Huseynova.
