Gov’t takes delivery of 13k doses of Astra-Zeneca vaccine from Australia

The Government this afternoon received 13,000 doses of Astra-Zeneca from Australia in Honiara.

The 13,000 is part of the 60,000 doses announced by Australia to support Solomon Islands last month.

Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana received the vaccine from Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan at the National Medical Centre at Ranadi.

Tongamana said Australia also have its own challenges but despite that they managed to find a space in their heart to support Solomon Islands with its vaccination programme.

“This is a clear demonstration of genuine friendship,” he said.

Togamana said such donation by Australia has helped the government to re-strategize and now open up vaccination for persons of 18 years and above.

High Commissioner Strahan said the 13,000 doses are part of the 60,000 pledged by his country and they were produced in Melbourne.

Meanwhile Strahan has commended the government on how it has managed COVID-19 so far.

Solomon Islands has recorded just 20 cases with no current active cases.

Stahan said SIG has done a tremendous job by keeping COVID-19 of the country and one of the few countries in the world that there is no community transmission.

However, he pointed out that with what is happening to some of the regional countries, he joined Dr Togamana in encouraging Solomon Islanders to take the vaccine.

With the arrival of the Australian made vaccine, they join China as the two countries that are supporting Solomon Islands a part from the first 24,000 doses supplied under the COVAX Facility.

News@SBMOnline2020