The ministry of health has Monday started administrating second dose of Sinopharm vaccine as the country speed up its vaccination drive against coronavirus.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public that, the administration of second dose of COVID-19 Sinopharm Vaccine is set to commence on Monday (yesterday) the 23rd day of August 2021. The Ministry urges persons who received their first dose of the COVID-19 Sinopharm Vaccine in July 2021 to report to Sukuta Health Centre in the West Coast Region for their second dose and they are also advised to visit the health centre with their Immunization Card issued during the administration of the first dose.
“The public may note that, while first dose helps the body to recognize the virus and prepares the immune system to fight off the infection, the second dose strengthens the immune response. Therefore, it is important to complete the vaccination cycle by allowing the administration of the second dose. You are only fully vaccinated after taking the second dose and that is when you can have the maximum protective benefit from the vaccine
“The Ministry would like to remind those who received their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine that they should not receive this vaccine. The Ministry re-assures those who could not get their second eligible dose of AstraZeneca, that they will soon receive their due dose. The Ministry of Health is soliciting the continuous support and cooperation of the general public in its efforts to contain COVID-19. The public is encouraged to call the Ministry’s Toll-Free Number 1025 for more or other related information regarding how to access COVID-19 vaccination services,” Modou Njai, Director of Health Promotion & Education said.
Meanwhile, he added: “The Ministry of Health is pleased to inform the public that The Government of France has donated The Gambia with a total of Thirty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred (38,400) doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine. With the support from the COVAX Facility. This donation from the Government of France will significantly close the gap of achieving the country’s COVID-19 vaccination target.
“In light of this development, the Ministry is hereby calling on all those who have not received their second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine to immediately visit the vaccination centres starting Monday 23rd August to get their full AstraZeneca Vaccine doses. The Government of the Gambia hereby extends sincere thanks to the Government of France, particularly the French Embassy in The Gambia, for their generous contribution in providing these lifesaving vaccines to the people of The Gambia. Also, sincere thanks and appreciation is extended to our esteem partners, WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, CEPI and WB for the continued technical and financial support towards the country’s COVID-19 response.”
