PHOTO: Phebe Hospital Medical Director, Dr. Jefferson Sibley (left) Bong County Health Officer, Dr. Jonathan Flomo (center), Bong County Superintend Esther Walker (right)
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmenuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Bong County has joined other counties in Liberia to administer the first dozes of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 in this central city situated 169 kilometers east of Monrovia.
The county has been given over 20,000 doses by the Health Ministry.
Phebe Hospital Medical Director, Dr. Jefferson Sibley, Bong County Health Officer, Dr. Jonathan Flomo and Bong County Superintend, Esther Walker were among the first batch of people that were vaccinated at the Phebe Hospital in Suakoko District.
After taking vaccine, the County Health Officer used the occasion to urge Liberians to stop listening to rumors and misinformation about the vaccine and take advantage of it by being vaccinated.
The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health, Dr. Flomo said, did due diligence before bringing the vaccine into the country in order to ensure that citizens were protected against the Covid-19 virus
Dr. Flomo also underscored the need to continue adhering to preventative health messages in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 even after being vaccinated, saying the demand for the vaccine will be very high because of the movements of people in the future.
Moreover, he wants all residents of the county to continue washing their hands, using face masks, avoiding crowded places and to stop shaking hand if the pandemic must be controlled or eradicated.
Bong County Superintendent Esther Walker who also took the vaccine said she was pleased to add to the number of Liberians and other nationals taking the first doze of the vaccine.
She then assured the general public that the vaccine is very safe and worthy to be taken, noting that she felt relief, because she now has assistance to fight COVID-19.
“Indeed I’m grateful to be a part of this history making event today. Taking the vaccine does not mean that you should be satisfied, or take the health protocol lightly but you instead continue adhering to them all the more”.
Walker also added that the vaccine’s benefits continue to outweigh its risks, and the communication from WHO and relevant government agencies gives confidence to proceed with the vaccination campaign in order to be able to prevent a third wave of the pandemic.
She then called on all inhabitants across the county to take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated soon.
Former Health Minister Dr. Walter Gwenigale who also formed part of the launch extended commendations to the county leadership for the patriotic move taken to take the first dose of the AstraZeneca jab of the COVID-19 vaccine in the county.
Dr. Gwenigale then called on government o focus more on creating awareness on the importance of taking the vaccine in order for persuade them to come forth in their numbers
It can be recalled that on March 5, 2021, government received 96,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, through the COVAX facility, and subsequently joined other countries around the world to officially launch the vaccination campaign against COVID-19.