By Ramatoulie Jawo
France donate over 151, 200 doses of J&J vaccine to The Gambia.
The French Government through UNICEF and WHO on Friday officially handed over the doses to the Ministry of Health at the central medical store complex in Kotu.
France’s head of mission in The Gambia, Jean Charles Allard, said sharing covid 19 vaccines in order to accelerate vaccines covers around the world, has been the priority of the his Government .
Gambia’s Minister of Health, Dr Ahmad lamin Samateh thanked the French government for the good gestures of supporting the Gambia’s fight covid 19.
He assured the the gathering that the vaccines will go a long way in achieving Gambia’s to vaccinate its population.
WHO Representative at the event, Dr.Ifeanyi Udenweze recalled that The Gambia received its first tranche of COVID-19 vaccines on 2nd March 2021, after the pandemic started.
“… The Gambia’s Ministry of Health is hosting a handover ceremony for 151, 200 doses of J&J vaccines donated by the French Government, through COVAX facility. in furtherance of their support for COVID-19 vaccination and commitment to the interruption of COVID 19 transmission in The Gambia,” he said.
Dr.Ifeanyi stated that as at this year, The Gambia has vaccinated about 354, 797 people, representing a 14.6% coverage of the total population since it started the COVID-19 vaccination in March 2021.
He said that the country’s vaccine coverage is below the WHO recommended 50% at the end of December 2021, and has a big gap compared to the recommended 70% by June 2022; but expressed hope for an increased coverage with the donation.
“We hope that the availability of various brands of vaccines in the country would boost the vaccination coverage by offering expanded access to people who may have preference for the various brands of vaccines,” he expressed.
The WHO rep at the event encouraged community members to get themselves vaccinated with the donated vaccines, saying “all COVID-19 vaccines are safe”.
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