By Kefiloe Kajane
Lesotho received its second batch of Covid-19 vaccines yesterday through the COVAX facility. The shipment of 36 000 doses of AstraZeneca is part of a donation made by the Republic of France through the COVAX facility.
Unicef representative to Lesotho Anurita Bains said they are grateful to partners of COVAX for working tirelessly to ensure that countries like Lesotho have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
She said the Covid-19 vaccine is an important step on the path to recovery. She indicated the sooner Basotho are vaccinated, the sooner they can ease the burden on nurses and frontline workers, the sooner children can fully continue with their learning.
The second delivery marks another milestone in the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines in Lesotho.
Unicef said it is an important delivery, as the global supply of AstraZeneca has been delayed due to limited supply and delays in export of the vaccine from India, as the country has faced a fierce and intense wave of Covid-19.
It also stated that the delivery will allow the ministry of health to reach the first 36,000
Basotho, primarily health care workers and people with comorbidities in Maseru, will receive the second dose within the recommended schedule.
World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Lesotho Dr. Richard Banda said Covid-19 continues to take a toll on countries and individuals. He said WHO will continue to work together with partners to support the government of Lesotho in making sure that vaccines get to all eligible people for all to be safe.
The shipment is the second tranche of many that will be allocated to Lesotho in the coming months through the COVAX facility, which is working to accelerate the development of and access to Covid-19 vaccines.
