3rd vaccine enters as more than 100k doses of US made Pfizer arrives

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Solomon Islands today officially received its third vaccine with the arrival of 100, 620 Pfizer doses funded by the US Government through the COVAX facility.

The vaccines arrived on a chattered Air Nauru and was received by the Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana, officials from U.S Government and UNICEF.

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In receiving the vaccines, Togamana appealed to those eligible for the vaccine to come forward and take their jab.

The Pfizer rollout is for those between 12-18 ages, mostly schools in Honiara, and pregnant women.

Permanent Secretary of Education and Human Resource Dr. Franco Roddie said his ministry in collaboration with health have discussed strategies to be used for the students in the schools for the rollout.

Russell Comeau, Director US Embassy Office, Solomon Islands said his government is happy to support with the vaccines adding that it would deepen the tie between the two countries.

The US is the biggest contributor to COVAX.

Comeau also commended the Solomon Islands Government for its efforts which largely keep the country untouched by COVID-19.

In that regard, he said that his government is happy that the vaccine is prioritized to the most venerable including pregnant women.

Dr Zelalem Taffesse, Chief of UNICEF Solomon Islands Field Office joined the others in calling for those that are yet to be vaccinated to come forward and take their jabs.

He said: “None of us is safe until all of us are safe.”

The vaccine is stored at the Medical Store which now has the capacity to stock them in -70 temperature.

Besides the newly introduced Pfizer, Solomon Islands currently administers Aztra Zenecca and Sinopharm.

News@SBMOnline2021