The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine donated to Namibia by China, arrived in Windhoek on Tuesday.
Speaking at the handing over of the 100 000 doses of the vaccine at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Kalumbi Shangula said the COVID-19 vaccine is a critical tool in returning Namibia to normalcy.
‘We believe that a safe, effective and well-planned COVID-19 vaccination programme will put our country on a trajectory towards reaching the required levels of herd immunity and eventually, overcoming the pandemic,’ the minister said.
Shangula said vaccination will start in the Khomas and Erongo regions, which have, at different times, been classified as epicentres of the COVID-19 pandemic in Namibia.
The period of vaccination under phase one of the national deployment plant will take place from 19 March until 16 April 2021 in the selected districts.
The target populations under phase one will include frontline health care workers, community health workers, people aged between 18 and 59, persons in close settings and those operating cross-border transportation such as truck drivers, pilots, journalists and members of the diplomatic corps, mining and fishery sector employees, religious and traditional leaders, people with disabilities, minorities and refugees.
Source: Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA)
