Government has revealed that it plans to inoculate at least 20% of its risk population within the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination in the country. The disclosure was made during a joint press conference granted by the Ministers of Communication and Public Health.
Opening the presser, Rene Emmanuel Sadi revealed that government has on the instructions of the Head of State, based on the recommendations of the scientific community ordered the AstraZeneca vaccine to add to the two hundred thousand (200,000) doses of Sinopharm vaccine donated by China to Cameroon.
Sadi said the move will step up the national response against virus. He added that the vaccine appears, by all accounts, as the most essential and consistent response to preserve the lives of the populations.
Dr. Manaouda Malachie clarified doubts on the different conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccines, adding that the country’s decision to purchase vaccines are based on assurances from the scientific community.
He said more than 1.7 million doses of the ‘controversial’ AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive Cameroon while a deal to make available 4 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been sealed with the Africa Centre for disease control. Some countries including South Africa and USA have halted the use of this said vaccine ordered by Cameroon because of health complications.
He noted that the vaccines will be used alongside the Chinese Sinopharm, to vaccinate at least 20% of the risk population notably health workers, persons age 50 and above, specialized groups like teachers, soldiers, and those with precarious health conditions.
He used the presser to call on the population to stay responsible and committed to respecting the basic barrier measures prescribed by government and the WHO. He noted these steps have to be followed scrupulously even after taking a vaccine.
Leading by example
The health boss has been hailed for his step to be the first to be vaccinated in the country. This move according to many has helped to disperse rumours surrounding the efficacy of the said vaccines.
The Sinopharm vaccine has also be collected by many health workers across the national territory as well as five regional governors (West, South, Far North, Adamawa, South West and East). Three journalists – two from the state media and one from private sector – have also been vaccinated.
The vaccination follows plan put up by the National Scientific Council and the National Immunization Technical Board. Public health authorities have created at least 243 vaccination centers nationwide.
The vaccination exercise in the regions is jointly supervised the Incident Manager for response to COVID19, Dr. George Etoundi Mballa, alongside Regional delegates of Public Health.
As per statistics, the vaccination dispatched to regions as follows: Adamawa (8150), Center (43,440), East (8580), Far North (24,640), Littoral (34,380), North (15,240), North West (11,280), West region (14,710)
By Doh Bertrand Nua
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