IT IS GOOD news that the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived. Thankfully, delivery was made possible after a consignment of doses was cleared by the Indian government and drug manufacturers for COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX) member countries.
AFTER A YEAR of global disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic leading to deaths and hundreds of infection, economic breakdown, the path to recovery for the people of Liberia can finally begin.
THE 96,000 DOSES of Covishield, the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, one of the vaccines the government has ordered, arrived at the Roberts International Airport at on Saturday at about 12:30 a.m.
THIS IS A PHENOMENAL win for South-South cooperation and we laud the Indian government for this show of support and its unalloyed commitment to the cooperation as well as fulfilling its commitment to help the world with the COVID-19 vaccine.
INDEED, INDIA is proving to the world that it is not paying lip service to the fight against COVID-19 but taking a frontline position on the global stage in dealing with the deadly pandemic through the production of the vaccine.
SPEAKING MINUTES after the vaccines were presented to the government of Liberia by Dr. Peter Clement, Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) to Liberia, Minister Kemayah said on behalf of Dr. George M. Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, the government and people of Liberia extend their hearted gratitude to the international partners through whom Liberia had benefited from COVAX Facility.
MINISTER KEMAYAH said the government is thrilled with the initial doses of 96,000 doses of the COVID-19 Vaccines, stating that it will further demonstrate Liberia’s preparedness in continuation of fighting the Virus, noting that what they have received had further demonstrate astute leadership of President Weah.
HE STATED THAT the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health will leave no stone unturned in the adherence to all health protocol and preventive measures.
FOREIGN MINISTER KEMAYAH assured citizens that the vaccine provided to Liberia has been tested, proven to be fate to be utilized.
“THE GOVERNMENT of Liberia has as its prime obligation to ensure that the health of its people is maintained at all times”.
HE USED THE OCCASION to reassure citizens that the vaccines are safe and they must do away with every conspiracy theory to the contrary. “I thank you and thanks to all our partners, that with this partnership we will move from strength to strength.”
For his part, the United States Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Michael A. McCarthy congratulated the Government of Liberia on their continued commitment to reducing the transmission and halting the spread of COVID-19 in Liberia and in the region. “Liberia’s successful fight against COVID-19 to date takes a critical leap forward with the arrival of vaccines to protect health care workers and the most vulnerable from this terrible disease. But the work doesn’t stop here. We hope Liberians will take the opportunity to receive safe and effective vaccines if offered. And, as always, we remind everyone to continue to wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, stay two arms-length apart in public, and seek treatment if you feel sick. Together we can put an end to this pandemic.”
THE UNITED STATES is committed to working with partners across the globe to end the devastating public health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this commitment, President Joe Biden announced $4 billion in funding to support the international vaccine initiative COVAX, which facilitates procurement and equitable global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, including to 92 low- and middle-income economies supported through the COVAX Advanced Markets Commitment. This contribution makes the United States the single largest contributor to the international response to COVID-19 and builds on decades of U.S. investments in global health, health security, and global health organizations, as well as demonstrating the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to build back better by strengthening multilateral cooperation on the response and advancing global health.
THERE IS NO DOUBT that every medication, and by extension vaccine, has side effects which trials confirm are not fatal.
THESE SIDE EFFECTS, which include mild fevers and headaches, are not certain to manifest in everybody who takes the vaccine.
THE ONLY WAY out of this pandemic is to ensure that vaccination is there for everybody.
WE NEED MORE information on the vaccination programme to put everybody at ease. At this stage, there is no need for anxiety.
AS WE ALL WAIT patiently to be vaccinated, let us continue to follow the COVID-19 safety protocols. It is the surest means to keep safe.