President Wavel Ramkalawan has announced the arrival of the first batch of 35 thousand doses of the Pfizer Vaccine due to arrive in the country on 8 September. This first large consignment set to further support the current National Vaccination Campaign is a donation from the United States Government under the COVAX Programme.
The President also announced that the administering of the Pfizer Vaccine will be done in phases with first priority given to children aged between 12-27 years whom their parents have consented for them to be vaccinated. This will be followed by phase two which will cater mainly for the administering of booster doses to citizens who are most vulnerable or with underlying medical conditions. The third phase will include the administering of booster doses to the general population. The President stated that the Ministry of Health will soon be announcing the plan ahead and other relevant information as the updated vaccination process rolls out.
Addressing members of the local media present at State House, President Ramkalawan said the above decisions have been taken following recent discussion by the Platinum Committee and thorough assessment of the latest International researches and trends in relation to COVID-19 Vaccination programmes. In leading by example the President also announced that he has personally already taken two doses of the Pfizer Vaccine along with an antibody test reflecting remarkable increase in antibody protection against COVID-19 virus.
The President further announced that through another donation, Seychelles will also receive a second consignment of 30 thousand doses of the Pfizer Vaccine before the end of September.
The Head of State made a special call to all citizens who are yet to take any of the COVID-19 vaccines available to come forward and through the Ministry of Health decide on the best vaccine option for their own protection and that of their loved ones.
Source: Office of the President of the Seychelles