By Bill W. Cooper
The government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has received its share of the COVAX vaccine doses intended to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The 96,000 COVAX vaccines doses which arrived in the country via plane was received by Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and Foreign Affairs Minister, Dee Maxwell Kemayah over the weekend at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County.
Additionally, the 96,000 COVAX vaccines is also part of the vaccines promised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be distributed amongst various African countries for the sole purpose of enabling them to help combat the novel COVID-19.
Presenting the COVAX vaccines to the government, the WHO Country Representative to Liberia, Dr. Peter Clements, on behalf of the COVAX Facility, disclosed that the provision of the COVAX Vaccines is an initial commitment by the international Community to ensure the protection of Liberians from the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that the WHO and the COVAX Facility are glad to partner with the country in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic something which he said has adversely affected the country’s growth and its citizens.
Dr. Clements then lauded President Weah and his government including the Health authorities and Liberians for their cooperation and coordination in ensuring hasty and timely response against the pandemic for the safety and wellbeing of all citizens.
Receiving the consignment on behalf of the government, Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah thanked the WHO, the USA Government including the COVAX Facility and other partners for ensuring that Liberia be a beneficiary of the COVAX Vaccines.
She intoned that the quantity of the COVAX Vaccines received by the government is very important especially in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that the government prioritizes the safety of its citizens.
Dr. Jallah then admonished healthcare workers to take advantage of the vaccines and be vaccinated for their protection thereby applauding them for their service rendered to the country in making sure that Liberians are safe and protected since the outbreak of the COVID-19.
The MoH boss further disclosed that the government has already started receiving 90,000 injection needles as well as in the possession of shape boxes to dispose of the needles as such, she hopes for Liberians get vaccinated.
In remark, the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy praised Liberia for its successful fight against the COVID-19 since the inception, something which he said has now taken a critical lip forward with the arrival of almost 100 thousand COVAX Vaccine to protect Health workers and most vulnerable people throughout the country.
According to the USA Ambassador, the U.S. government through the USAID is pleased to providing support to the MoH COVID-19 response efforts, especially the deployment of the COVAX Vaccines, adding that the next step is most critical to providing the Logistical support, and corrective measures to the public to ensure that the vaccines get to those who need them most.
He further pledged the United States fullest commitment to working with partners around the world to help Liberia end the devastating public health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic thus revealing the U.S. commitment of US4 million to support the COVAX distribution in Liberia.
Amb. McCarthy further expressed his optimism that Liberians will take the vaccines when given the opportunity, stressing, “In so doing, if we remain committed to the washing of our hands, the wearing of face masks and keeping physical social distances, I believed we can jointly defeat COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister, Dee Maxwell Kemayah has cautioned the MoH authorities to equitably distribute the COVAX vaccines amongst Liberians and do away with any “conspiracy theory” during the distribution process of the COVID-19 vaccines.
According to him, he will ensure that the government through the MoH leaves no stone unturned in the adherence to all health protocols and preventive measures thereby assuring Liberians that the vaccines provided to the country have been tested and safe for use.
He added, “I want to reassure you that the vaccines are safe and you must do away with every conspiracy theory to the contrary because the government has as its obligation to ensure that the health of its people is secured at all times.”
Minister Kemayah then assured the WHO, members of the COVAX Facility and other international partners that the receiving of the vaccines will in no way make Liberia complacent in its fight against the COVID-19.