The first batch of 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Somalia today, FGS Minister of Health Fowziya Abikar Nur, UN Special Representative to Somalia James Swan and other officials witnessed the launch of the vaccine Oxford Astrazeneca.
Today was the first phase of WHO’s delivery of 1.2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Somalia.
Ambassador James Swan, congratulated the Ministry of Health on the availability of the first coronavirus vaccine, and said that the United Nations would continue to support Somalia at this critical time.
He said the disease was still serious and it is necessary health workers and vulnerable people needed be vaccinated first and to stay vigilant in order to contain the virus.
Fowziya Abikar Nur, thanked all the agencies that worked to bring the coronavirus vaccine to Somalia, at a time when the country is on the brink of a resurgence of coronavirus.
Somalia’s health minister says the vaccine will be used tomorrow and will be given on priority to health workers fighting the virus.
“We are striving to deliver the vaccine fairly to those who receive it. It is important that the vaccine is accompanied with awareness, such social distancing, mouth covering, and hand washing, ”said Fowziya.
It is noteworthy that the 16th of March, when the vaccine will be introduced, coincides with the first case of COVID-19 in Somalia.
The number of COVID-19 cases registered in the country recently reached 8,438 and 4,004 people were cured. A total of 307 others died.
Ms. Fowziya Abikar Nur called on the community to take the advice of health professionals and other public awareness campaigns, as the risk of COVID-19 has doubled.
