39.2% are now fully vaccinated, 65.1% already received one dose

The vaccination rollout has continued to surge over the past weeks with 39.2% of the people in Solomon Islands have now received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine and at least 65.1% have received one dose of the vaccine.

Minister of Health Dr Culwick Togamana released the figures tonight in his latest update of the current state of COVID-19 in the country.

“I am pleased to inform that uptake of the vaccines have increased in the past weeks,” he said.

Dr Togamana detailed that 445,384 doses of Astrazeneca and Sinopharm vaccines have been administered as first and second dose.

He said the proportion of people 18 years and above who have been vaccinated with both doses has increased by 7.0%.

“However, we have also adjusted our denominator population of people 18 years and above and 39.2% of the people in Solomon Islands have now received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine. At least 65.1% of the people have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

“It is a great achievement by our teams who are making all efforts to reach our nearby as well as far off communities. I would like to sincerely acknowledge all community leaders, elders, men, women, girls and boys for the ongoing support rendered to our health teams and for coming forward,” said the minister.

In terms of Provincial distribution, 67% of people in Isabel, 50% in Makira have received both their doses.

The coverage in other provinces with both doses is between 45% and 50%, which includes Honiara and Guadalcanal combined, Choiseul, Western and Temotu Provinces.

Dr Togamana also stated that Pfizer vaccine is being administered to adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age and to pregnant women.

Pfizer roll out has started in Honiara, Guadalcanal, Western, Makira and Temotu and will soon be expanded to other Provinces.

“As of today, we have administered 16,192 doses of Pfizer vaccine, which includes 9,805 administered as first dose, 2,965 as second dose (for both 12-18 and pregnant women), 3,422 booster doses for 18 years and above. We will be presenting more detailed information on the doses distributed between 12-18 years and pregnant women in future updates,” he said.

Dr Togamana continues to encourage those who have yet to take their vaccine to get their jab as part of the fight against COVID-19.

News@SBMOnline2022