132,000 doses of the 862,000 of Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccines arrived at the Juba International Airport on Thursday morning as South Sudan embarks inoculating first line target groups.
The vaccine, which will be shipped to the country in batches, enjoys the support of COVAX Facility which has played a pivotal role in extending the jab in African countries.
COVAX Facility is a global partnership comprising Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO).
The first batch of the vaccines will target healthcare workers and persons aged 65 years and above due to their increased susceptibility to severe illness should they contract COVID-19. The healthcare workers include doctors, nurses, community-based health workers and social mobilisers.
Addressing journalists at Juba International Airport on Thursday, the Minister of Heath Elizabeth Achuei said thanked the partners for facilitating the arrival of the vaccine in the country.
“The COVID-19 vaccine will help us to protect our population against COVID-19 infections and prepare for a return to a normal life,” she said.
Together with today’s COVAX shipment of vaccines, 132,500 syringes and 1,325 safety boxes for the safe disposal of syringes arrived.
Through the COVAX Facility, 732,000 doses of vaccines are expected to be deployed to South Sudan in the first six months of 2021.
The Senior Country Manager for South Sudan Patience Musanhu said the delivery of the product ‘was 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.” she explained.
State plan
Over the next several months, through to the end of 2022, South Sudan is planning to vaccinate 40 per cent of its population, as outlined in the country’s COVID-19 National Deployment and Vaccination Plan.
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in South Sudan will start soon. Plans for implementing vaccine activities throughout the country in all 80 counties are being developed. Healthcare workers are being trained prior to vaccine deployment.
UNICEF South Sudan Representative Hamida Lasseko emphasised that the arrival of the vaccines is the first step towards a normal life which is an important step for children and their future,
“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.” she said.
A person being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine requires two doses to ensure optimal immune response against the COVID-19 virus. 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 consent prior to being vaccinated.
South Sudan WHO Representative Dr Fabian Ndenzako said, “The vaccine complement, and not replace, proven public health measures such as wearing masks, physical distancing, ventilation and hand hygiene alongside robust programmes to test, trace, isolate and treat.
“The organization WHO also appeals to the general public to adhere to preventive public health measures by wearing masks, keeping a distance, and frequently washing hands.”
While COVID-19 vaccination is important to protect the most vulnerable and exposed people from getting infected and reduce morbidity and mortality, a continued adherence to preventive measures to avoid the spread of the virus by wearing facial masks and respecting social distancing remains crucial.