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In what Authorities in the Health Sector have described as a significant milestone, Sierra Leone has vaccinated 71.2% of its targeted population.
The disclosure was made in the conference room of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation at Youyi building in Freetown, on Wednesday 21st December 2022. The press briefing also saw the donation of medical as well as office equipment to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation from the UN family. The donated items are valued at US $ 115,000.
Program Manager, Expanded Program on Immunization, Dr Desmond Maada Kangbai, revealed that 35 million people have been vaccinated in Sierra Leone, adding that the country has reached its target 70% Vaccination.
Dr Kangbai recalled that in 2021 when the country started the Vaccination, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Austin Demby signed a communique in Dakar where all African Countries agreed to meet the target of 70% Vaccination of their targeted population.
In terms of the objectives, Dr Kangbai mentioned that the Vaccination is geared towards scaling up Vaccination coverage to 70% of the targeted population by December 2022 and integrating Covid-19 Vaccination into the country’s routine immunization program. He added that the Vaccination was also aimed at reaching the highest and high risk population group and digitalizing the Covid-19 Vaccination process. He recalled that the Covid-19 vaccine was launched in March 2021, adding that ever since the Ministry had been doing deployment of the vaccines to achieve the target( 70% Vaccination).
He also mentioned that the Vaccination took four phases, adding that the initial stage targeted essential workers and the aged. He continued that phase two targeted the forces, individuals and teachers. ” the vaccine was not enough so wanted to get a clear priority” he disclosed.
Dr Kangbai furthered that phase three encompasses phase one, two and individuals above 18 years, adding that phase four targeted the general population of twelve and above. He disclosed that a team of about 1,500 were deployed across the country in a bid to achieve this feat.
He mentioned the various times of vaccines that the country had utilized. Among them are: Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson Astrazeneca sinopharm vaccine.
Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Dr Sartie Kenneh, remarked that despite the achievement, the country needs to continue to do more, noting that Covid-19 is still around.
He urged all those that are yet to take the vaccine to do so, noting that the country has enough vaccines, maintaining that the Ministry will be updating the public about the efficacy of the vaccine.
The vaccines are potent and effective. The CMO spoke highly of the leadership of the country as well as international partners for their support of the health sector.
World Health Organization (WHO) representative, Dr Innocent B Nuwagira, congratulated the country for what he described as an important milestone in the Covid-19 Vaccination exercise.
He disclosed that Sierra Leone has joined three other countries that have achieved same.
He acknowledged the sacrifices that are being made by all and sundry to ensure that the country achieves that feat. “The UN Family is happy to have supported you in achieving this and we remain committed to working with you to reach your targets” he assured.
