Freetown 21 December 2022 – Sierra Leone has achieved the worldwide World Well being Group (WHO) goal of absolutely vaccinating 70% of the inhabitants in opposition to COVID-19 by the top of 2022. The milestone locations Sierra Leone amongst simply three different nations within the African area to have reached the goal. The 70% goal was set by international well being leaders with a technique that outlined the precedence actions wanted from the completely different actors to realize the targets.
“We’re right here now, however it’s not the top. The vaccinations will proceed, and we’ll proceed to advertise and encourage everybody to get vaccinated; and for the absolutely vaccinated to get their booster doses as a result of COVID-19 isn’t but over,” mentioned Dr Satie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer of Sierra Leone. whereas making the landmark announcement.
In March 2021, Sierra Leone launched the primary COVID-19 vaccination after receiving the primary consignments of vaccines donated to the nation by way of the COVAX Facility and others by way of bilateral partnerships. Since then, a complete of three 508 653 individuals over the age of 12 years have absolutely been vaccinated therefore attaining 71.2% of its goal inhabitants. About 85% of the goal inhabitants has additionally now been vaccinated with a minimum of one dose.
Sierra Leone has thus far obtained 7 673 850 COVID-19 vaccine doses because the first shipments, with 71% from the COVAX Facility, 18% from the African Vaccine Acquisition Belief and the remainder from bilateral preparations and donations. To date, 6.3 million doses have been administered, with 71.2% of the goal inhabitants aged 12 years and above absolutely vaccinated.
“COVID-19 introduced alongside so many challenges. Nonetheless, Sierra Leone has been capable of deal with the response by way of sturdy political and technical management. That’s what has introduced us so far and we’re proud to have been a part of this success. The experiences and classes learnt on this course of will assist information our response to future well being emergencies” mentioned Dr Harmless Nuwagira, Appearing WHO Consultant in Sierra Leone.
“WHO will proceed to assist the well being safety agenda of Sierra Leone by offering the very best technical experience in tackling public well being emergencies and attaining common well being protection for the individuals of Sierra Leone,” Dr Nuwagira added.
WHO in shut collaboration with different companions has been on the forefront of the COVID-19 response in Sierra Leone, offering technical, strategic and coordination assist, in addition to operational and far wanted medical provides and commodities to the federal government of Sierra Leone by way of the Ministry of Well being and Sanitation.
COVID-19 surge vaccination has been one of many primary drivers in reaching the 70% absolutely vaccinated goal inhabitants in Sierra Leone. A complete of 15 surge vaccination campaigns have been carried out by the nation, cumulatively accounting for 74.5% of the COVID-19 vaccinations because the starting of the rollout in March 2021.