Liberia is still rated low in the administration of the Covid-19 vaccines as the new variant, Omicrom, is reported to be raging in South Africa.
According to the Ministry of Health, with Liberia’s total population predicted at over four million, only 10.45 percent has been fully vaccinated.
Giving the alert yesterday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Dr. Williamina Jallah said the new variant of the virus is very contagious and could be contracted by those previously affected by other variants.
She noted that the World Health Organization has not been precise with the affected age range of the Omicron like the Delta and other variants but if the country experiences a new case in covid, the symptoms will have to be critically evaluated.
The Health Minister furthered that the ministry is going to restore testing centers at the various ports of entry to make sure that those leaving from other countries are tested and treated while fully abiding by the protocols.
Dr. Jallah stressed the need for all Liberians to value their lives to save themselves and protect the country by taking the vaccine that is provided at the various vaccination centers across the country, adding that as the festive season approaches, the country will experience a huge number of travelers coming in for the season as well as the Bi-centennial events slatted for next year.
Dr. Jallah narrated that citizens should not wait for the travelers to increase and have access to the vaccines thereby leaving themselves at higher risk most especially in the case of the new variant.
The Statistics Director at the Health Ministry, Adolphus Clarke, also explained that the ministry needs the cooperation of all citizens to fight against the virus adding that there is a mass vaccination exercise which begins in six counties by December 4, 2021.
According to him, the exercise is intended to have the country meet a target of at least 40 percent of its total population vaccinated before 2022 and the counties forming part of the vaccination exercise are Margibi, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Montserrado, Lofa and Bong.
He also narrated that by December 6, Liberia would have received a consignment of 92,430 dozes of the fibral covid vaccine to be administered also to young people beginning at 12 years and above.
The Health Ministry is urging everyone to be alert and follow the health protocols prescribed by the ministry and as well spread the message of omicron’s threats to a country.