(Paynesville, Liberia, August 5, 2021)—the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health and its partners on Thursday, August 05, 2021, officially started administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccines at the Paynesville City Hall in Montserrado Country.
Recently, the Ministry received a donation of 302,400 Doses of the J&J COVID-19 Vaccinesfrom the United States Government through the COVAX facility in collaboration with the African Union and the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention in order to curb further spread of the global pandemic.
With this, several personalities including current and past governments’ officials, local and international partners as well as Liberians trooped in during the event to take doses of their vaccines.
However, Liberian Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Foreign Affairs Minister, Dee Maxwell Kemayah, USAID Mission Director, Jim Wright; and CDC Country Director to Liberia, Dr. Rachel Idowu, graced the occasion.
The Ministry has designated the Monrovia City Hall, Paynesville city Hall, Barnesville Town, GSA Compound and a host of facilities to administer the vaccines. It will also be administered at some market sites including the Waterside Market, Red Light General Market, Goba-chop, Jacob Town Market, Redemption Hospital, Jukpen Town, ELWA Market, Duala Market, Kuwait Market, Clara Town, Old Road, Poultry Market (Red Light community) and the VOA Market in Brewerville, Duport Road Market, Rehab Market, Rally Town, Roto Town Market, Pepperwood Town Market, Barnesville Market and 72nd Market.
During the colorful event, Dr. Jallah thanked President George Manneh Weah for providing her the opportunity to serve the country and at the same time applauded the public for constantly following all of the health protocols instituted by the government as a way of combating the fight against the virus: “It is a great day to see this huge attendance for this launch. We want to say thanks for coming.” Saying, “to the citizens of Liberia and the general public, we want to say thank you very much. You are helping in the reduction of the spread of the virus in the country.
The Health Ministry, with excitement, said no strategic work in any given environment of such when the people are not heavily involved: “We are all part of this process, this reduction we are seeing gradually over the past days. We must admit. We saw social distancing, masks wearing, washing of hands, etc. thanks for job well done.”
Dr. Jallah admonished the public in general to continue on the good footing “because the fight is not over yet. You have to come for the vaccination wherever you are because we are expected to vaccinate over 300,000 persons with this J&J vaccine.”
Hence, all persons 18 years and above are eligible for the J&J COVID-19 Vaccines, including Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people with medical conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, etc.).
The Minister informed the public that a new batch of 96,000 AstraZeneca vaccines is expected to arrive in the country this week and called on people who have taken the first dose and are awaiting the second not to panic but wait for the vaccines’ arrival.
Signed: _____________________________
Felecia Gbesioh
Director of Communication
Ministry of Health