By Nasratu Kargbo
In a bid to fight COVID-19, the US government has donated one hundred and thirteen thousand four hundred and ninety (113,490) doses of Pfizer vaccine. The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone David Reimer handed over the consignment of vaccine to the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr.Amara Jambai in Freetown on Monday 13 September 2021.
Ambassador Reimer said that the drugs were purchased by the US government from the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and distributed through COVAX. He said the donation represents a pivotal step in the global fight against COVID-19.
He explained that just as was the case with past global and regional epidemics and crisis, the American government has extended a global response that has benefitted Sierra Leone stating that the US has contributed billions of dollars to fight COVID in over 120 countries across the globe. According to Reimer, this is in actualization of the promise made on the 10th of June by the US President Joe Biden to “donate half a billion Pfizer vaccines to the world’s most vulnerable people and economies”, saying it is the biggest donation ever made by a single country.
He noted that since the start of COVID-19 in the country, the US government has provided over sixteen million dollars in support to the fight against the virus.
The Deputy Representative UNICEF Ms. Liv Elin Indreiten spoke about the organisation’s commitment to helping the government of Sierra Leone in combating the pandemic through accelerating vaccine deployment, public awareness on vaccination, strengthening cold chain system and the protection of vaccines.
Explaining the efforts made to protect the potency of the vaccines, Indreiten explained that “UNICEF has procured and airlifted a 100L new Ultra low Temperature (ULT) Freezer to augment the existing cold chain capacity of the country,” she said.
The equipment which was received last week and currently installed at the Central EPI stores, can store up to 32,700 doses of Pfizer vaccine at the required low temperature in order to maintain its potency.
When asked of the age and dosage requirement for the Pfizer vaccine, the Vaccination Pillar Lead Tom Sesay said the age requirement remains the same for all vaccines, that is “eighteen years and above.” He said unlike the Johnson and Johnson vaccine which is a single dose, Pfizer vaccine is a two dose.
In explaining the strategy that will be used to ensure that the public receive the two doses of vaccine, Sesay said they will administer half of the vaccine for the first dose and keep the other half for the second dose. However, he explained that if they have more of the vaccines, they will expand on the number of people that they will target.
The deputy Minister Dr. Jambai expressed delight for the donation stating that the US has been of help against polio, small pox and other outbreaks and now with COVID. He appealed to all to take the jab, noting that things should go back to normal, and which can only be made possible when all are vaccinated.
He spoke about targeting riverine areas such as Bonthe, Pujehun and other hard to reach areas where the disease can go and stay, which may cause a resurgence of the pandemic later on.
He thanked the US government, WHO, UNICEF and other partners for helping in the fight.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (15/09/21)
