By Fatou Dahaba
As the country is set to begin a mass vaccination exercise against the deadly coronavirus disease, Buba Darboe Program Manager Ministry of Health said the country decided to go for AstraZeneca base on expert opinion that it is best for the country.
As health workers they trust it, believe it and have confidence that it can safe people from the deadly virus. He reassured that covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective.
The targeted groups for the vaccines are the health workers, the aged (over 65 years), teachers and those with underlying problems. The exercise will, however, start from Banjul to Kalaji and extend to other regions based on recommendations.
Darboe was speaking in a consultative meeting with stakeholders on the overview of The Gambia’s Covid-19 vaccination programme.
He stated that the Ministry of Health is facing challenges about the Covid-19 vaccines, adding that there are a lot of misconceptions about the vaccines. ‘We cannot do it alone, we need partners that’s why we came with strategies and key among this is stakeholder engagement plan so that you can have firsthand information about the vaccine.’
He stated that the vaccine is vigorously tested and seen to be effective and believe to safe people from the global threat.
He further explained that this is not the first vaccination but anytime new vaccines are introduced in the country there are always misconceptions and Gambia has been one of the countries recognize worldwide as best performing county when it comes to immunisation program. He added immunisation is not new in the country.
The aimed of the consultative meeting is to brief institutions with regards to the ministry’s plans and strategies for the upcoming vaccination program which is covid-19.
