By Mabinty M. Kamara
Sierra Leone has yesterday 8th August 2021 received 96,000 more doses of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine. The vaccine according to a joint press statement by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation and it partners was donated by France and delivered by UNICEF through the COVAX facility that it is part of Europe’s broader efforts to equitable access to vaccines in lower and middle income countries.
“This further donation for the COVAX facility will help safe guard Sierra Leone’s population from the consequences of the COVID19 virus and begin reducing barriers to saving lives and protecting livelihoods. The government is appreciative of the effort made by all partners in the COVAX facility that has made this donation possible,” the statement quoted Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation as saying.
The latest donation brings to 192,000 the total doses received so far by the country under the COVAX facility. The first batch was also delivered on the 8th of March 2021 which helped the country roll out the nationwide vaccination drive starting with frontline workers and other targeted adult population.
However, the country recently intensified its vaccination drive, targeting all adults across the country in an effort to respond to the surge in the cases of COVID in the country. But there was already a shortage of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the country recently. In addition to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the country is also expecting other brands like the Johnson & John, Pfizer, and Moderna through bilateral relationship between the government of Sierra Leone and its partners.
The UNICEF Deputy Representative, Ms Liv Elin Indriten said they welcomed the global collaboration of COVAX to help make vaccine widely accessible and at no cost to the population because COVID was still among the population. “COVID 19 vaccines, together with other safety protocols such as proper wearing of face mask, ensuring a safe physical distancing, avoiding large groups, and washing hands frequently-will help to stop this pandemic and help to see a gradual return of normal lives for us and for our children,” she said.
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