(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

(Sunday, July 25, 2021, RIA, Liberia)—the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health on Sunday July 25, 2021, received additional consignment of the Johnson and Johnson COVAX Vaccines.

“The arrival of this gift is very timely and it will help us to reach the benchmark set by WHO to have at least 10% of the population vaccinated against COIVD-19 by September 2021”, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said in a remark while receiving the consignment at the Roberts International Airport.

Expunging further on rumors surrounding funding shipment of the vaccines, Dr. Jallah said: “this is a gift from the United States government, which was brought into the country free of charge. Our government didn’t pay anything for the arrival. Every processing surrounding this vaccine was done by our partners”.

Since the country started immunization of the AstraZeneca vaccines, there are about 86,288 persons who have received the first dose, while 9,579 persons have received the second dose.

The Liberian Health Minister has warned previously recipients of the AstraZeneca Vaccines to avoid taking the new dose (J&J) in country, saying “those who took the first doses of the AstraZeneca Vaccines should wait for the vaccine that is expected to be in country at the end of this month. This J&J vaccine is only for those who have not taken any COVID-19 related vaccines. So, please wait for the AstraZeneca. It will soon be in country”.

Now, as part of US President Joe Biden administration’s global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, US Ambassador accredited to Liberia Michael McCarthy said, his government saw it prudent to have intervened by donating 302,400 doses of the J&J vaccines to Liberia.

This is also part of the U.S. pledged to initially provide at least 25 million of 80 million doses globally with Africa being a continent of priority.

“We are proud to continue working together with the Liberian government, the private sector, and civil society to do everything we can to mitigate the pandemic’s high toll on life, livelihoods, and social impacts”, remarked Ambassador McCarthy. “To everyone who has not been vaccinated, I strongly encourage you to do so—as I did—as soon as you have the opportunity”, Amb. McCarthy expressed.

Earlier, handling over the vaccines to the Liberian government through Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, the US Envoy echoed Mr Biden’s administration commitment “as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at home and work to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden has promised that the United States will be an arsenal of vaccines for the world”.

The Janssen Vaccines was developed in Leiden, Netherlands, and its Belgian parent company Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of American company Johnson & Johnson.

It is a viral vector vaccine based on a human adenovirus that has been modified to contain the gene for making the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The body’s immune system responds to this spike protein to produce antibodies. The vaccine requires only one dose and does not need to be stored frozen.

Clinical trials for the vaccine were started in June 2020, with Phase III trials involving around 43,000 people. On 29 January 2021, Janssen announced that 28 days after a completed vaccination, the vaccine was 66% effective in a one-dose regimen in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, with an 85% efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19, and 100% efficacy in preventing hospitalization or death caused by the disease.

The vaccine has been granted by the US Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency (EMA and the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Signed:____________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh,

           Director of Communication, MOH

(MONROVIA, Liberia, June 25, 2021) The Minister of Health Dr Wilhelmina Jallah has welcome decision by the Government and people of Japan through Ambassador H.E HIMENO Tsutomu to  launch two programmes to strengthen the delivery of routine health services in health facilities and communities during COVID-19 and improving cold chain management worth US$ 2,499,900:00.

These two programmes fundings are part of Japan’s support to the Government of Liberia’s efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic through partnership with UNICEF.

The project strengthening routine health services in health facilities and communities programmes will be implemented in Montserrado and Margibi counties and aimed at benefiting over 43,000 children and 12,000 pregnant women in over 150 communities, while improving the cold chain programme will equip 190 health facilities with cold chain equipment and train 245 technicians and health workers to provide services for over 400,000 beneficiaries.

Speaking at the handover of the projects documents, Health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah lauded the people of Japan through its Ambassador including UNICEF in ensuring that Liberia becomes a recipient of the Integrated health project and Cold chain system.

She noted that the launch of the projects is very important to the Government of Liberia’s continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The energetic Health Minister indicated that the Government attaches great importance to the protection of its citizens, especially with the strengthening of the integrated health and Cold chain system projects.

“This launch is in time” indicated by Minister Jallah.  She assured the Japanese Government that the projects will go a long way in strengthening the health sector and ably responding to the growing waves of the pandemic across the Country.

However, the Government of Japan’s main thematic priorities have remained EPI/Polio, Cold Chain system strengthening, provision of Health, WASH, Nutrition and Birth registration services to the most vulnerable population

“We thank the Government of Japan for its continued cooperation with UNICEF to support the children in Liberia during this global pandemic,” said Laila O. Gad, UNICEF Representative to Liberia. “UNICEF will continue to work closely with the Government of Liberia, UN agencies and partners, to ensure the health system in the country is well equipped, and health workers are well trained to respond appropriately to the threats of COVID-19.”

With this funding, UNICEF will continue its support to the Government of Liberia in its efforts to combat COVID-19 through the provision of cold chain equipment, strengthening the health system and building the capacities of the service providers. 

Signed:________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communication

            Ministry of Health, R. L.

(June 23 2021, Monrovia, Liberia)— The Ministry of Health has designated the Monrovia City Hall, Paynesville City Hall and the old Heath Ministry on Capitol bye pass as venues for first dose of  the AstraZeneca  Immunization.

The general public is encouraged to use those mentioned venues to get vaccinated instead of the previous vaccination site at the Ministry in Congo Town.

Meanwhile, second phase of the Vaccine is being Administered at the following facilities: J.D.J, Redemption, J.F.K, UN clinics, ELWA, 14 Military, SOS, and Catholic

However, The Ministry of Health is seriously concerned with this new increase in the number of COVID-19 cases; as such, the Ministry encourages the general public to continuously follow all health measures announced by the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, few days ago.

Signed: __________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications

           Ministry of Health, R.L.

(June 11, 2021, Monrovia, Liberia)—The Ministry of Health (MOH) through the COVID-19 Incident Management system (IMS) confirms that there are increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

 “Within the past three days, we have had about 171 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Liberia,” Dr. Francis Kateh, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, disclosed.

The COVID-19 update was provided on Thursday, June 9, 2021, in the Ministry’s conference room.

Giving the new variant of transmission among the populace, about 120, 000 COVID-19 TESTs have been conducted; with 2,453 confirmed cases to date (June 9, 2021), 608 of these confirmed in 2021, 300 active cases as of June 9, 2021, 92 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, 28 cases (21 confirmed and 7-suspects) in treatment unit and 89 cases are managed in home based care, while 2,058 persons have recovered, according to Dr. Jerry Brown, a member of the IMS.

“There is an active investigation on new cases and their contacts. This includes active case finding, testing and contact tracing

There is also increased surveillance to identify any new potential cases of this issue,” Dr. Brown.

The Ministry of Health is seriously concerned with this new increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, as Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah has beseeched Liberians to continuously follow all health measures instituted by H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia.

She said wearing a mask, social distancing, constant hand washing, among other COVID-19 preventive measures should be seen as the national anthem by all that would guarantee the minimization of the exponential spread of the noxious Coronavirus pandemic.

“We are forgetting this time around that COVID-19 exists among us: drivers, program organizers and others are among those breaching the protocols by taking more passengers or having mass gatherings”, Dr. Jallah said

The Minister has also stressed the importance for the public to voluntarily avail themselves for COVID-19 Testing and vaccination: “Now, first phase of the vaccines is being conducted only at the Ministry of Health, while the second phase is being administered at the first locations: J.D.J, Redemption, J.F.K, UN clinics, ELWA, 14 Military, SOS, and Catholic hospitals are few health facilities you go for your second dose.”

The Ministry is aware that there will be many travelers coming into Liberia from all parts of the world. While the Ministry does not recommend any travel restrictions, it also recommends all incoming and outgoing individuals take additional precautions to prevent COVID-19. All in coming travelers must present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result upon arrival at the airport and borders in Liberia. All incoming travelers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival in Liberia. Outgoing travelers must show proof of a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results within 3 days of their departure flight.

Signed: __________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications

           Ministry of Health, R.L.

Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah has called on Liberian Journalists to be investigative and proactive with their respective reportage, especially when it comes to reporting on the Country’s health sector. “When reporting on health activities in our country, please make sure both sides of the story are balanced before reporting”, Dr. Jallah told scores of Journalists at a day long media training organized by the Liberia Media Initiative, recently.

As inaccurate beliefs pose a threat to any health sector and fake news represents a particularly egregious and direct avenue through which inaccurate beliefs have been propagated via some media outlets in the country, she believed reporting on the sector should always do their facts checking in order to avoid spewing out misinformation to the general public.

“Whenever you are reporting on activities of the Country’s health system, please make sure you get both sides of the story before reporting. Persistence of misinformation is not good for our health sector because when audience generates reasons in supporting the initial information, it would lead to them taking the wrong decision. So, let’s do our fact checking”, she averred.

The factors underlying effective messages to counter beliefs are based on misinformation. Reporting on the Country’s health sector, which is one of the major components of the country’s governance system, journalists reporting from here should do their facts checking before spewing it out to the general public, because misinformation about the sector can lead to poor decisions about consequential matters and is persistent and difficult to correct.

In lieu of the supra, the energetic Health Minister used the occasion to encouraged journalists to always reach out to individuals responsible when seeking information about the Ministry. “We want to encourage you to reach out to the Ministry anytime you want information. Our doors are opened; anytime you call us we will answer, including our counties health team offices, please contact them also for those information you need for the betterment of our country.

Meanwhile, providing clarity on the AstraZeneca COVAX Vaccines, Dr.  Jallah disclosed that the vaccines received by Liberia were produced in India instead of Oxford. The COVAX is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is one of the three pillars of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, the initiative begun in April 2020 by the WHO, the European Commission, and the government of France as a respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.