THE coronavirus vaccination program in the National Capital District is being rolled out to all the three electorates/districts starting tomorrow, Tuesday, 20th July, 2021.
This means that instead of just Rita Flynn being the only site where the vaccinations are given, there will now be a number of clinics in each electorate giving the vaccinations.
The vaccination team for each electorate will consist of vaccinators and social mobilisers who will be doing awareness at the clinic area while the vaccinations are taking place.
Chief Executive Officer of the NCD Provincial Health Authority Dr Maru Garo told a media briefing today that NCD had COVID-19 cases since last year and on May 12 this year it begun the vaccination program at Rita Flynn facility.
It begun slowly, but it has picked up and is doing very well. Currently, the vaccinators are vaccinating 700 to 1,000 people a day, most of whom are from the corporate organisations.
This was confirmed by NCDPHA Coordinator of the Family Health Services Sr Susan Nalu who is also overseeing the vaccination program at Rita Flynn facility.
She said each province in the country was given a number of doses and NCD was initially given 4,000. When these were taken up, it was increased and to-date they had given out 14,000 doses. Also, she said in response to a request from Daru, Western Province, they sent 114 vials today which is 1, 140 doses.
Sr Nalu also said of the 14, 000 doses given there were no major side effects. The side effects, she said, were very minor and were similar to other vaccines.
Dr Garo said the objective of going to the clinics is to give the opportunity to those with comorbidities that are going to the clinic but may not be able to make it to Rita Flynn, as well as the illiterate and not-so -well-to-do in the communities.
“Our strategy is to reach out to the communities and improve the coverage especially to those with comorbidities,’’ he said.
The vaccine to be used in the clinics will be AstraZeneca – the same vaccine that is given at the Rita Flynn.
“We are targeting 15,000 doses in a month ( but) we hope to increase that,’’ he said.
He also highlighted the need for everyone in the community to work together in the vaccination program - the churches, youth leaders and women’s groups - because it is about saving lives.
“We must all work together. The Delta Variant is in the city so we need to be quick as possible.’’
Photo : Members of the media at the media briefing.
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