PHOTO: Dr. Jonathan Flomo addressing the press at his Phebe hospital office
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Despite the rumors and misinformation surrounding about the AstraZeneca COVI-19 vaccine in some quarter, people in Liberia’s central Bong County have been commended for the huge turned out to get vaccinated
Speaking to journalists on Friday May 28, 2021 in Phebe, Bong County Health Officer, Dr. Jonathan Flomo lauded the people of the county for the massive turned out in order to take the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Since the arrival of the vaccine in the county, according to him, health workers across the county, the police, members of the arm forces of Liberia, the superintendent and other local county authorities including ordinary people have been polling in to take the vaccine.
Honestly speaking people have really been polling in to take this vaccine even though there are still some that are breaking to come,” the Bong County Health Officer said.
He attributed the huge turnout for the COVID-19 vaccine to what he called “massive awareness and education” by the County Health, the media and others organizations about the importance, effectiveness and efficiency of the vaccine across the county.
According to the Bong County’s Health Officer, it is important to take the COVID-19 vaccine because it could help contain the spread of the pandemic in the county and Liberia at Large.
The CHO noted that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective and efficient and free of charge; and as such citizens and residents especially for those of them that haven’t taken the vaccine should take advantage of it.
Dr. Flomo also revealed that the county is currently out of the vaccine, stating that additional doses are expected in the county very soon.
Said Dr. Flomo: “We got an initial dose of one thousand from the Ministry of Health but that have been exhausted so we have already put in for more vaccine because there are a lot of people that have come to be vaccinated. I have already communicated that with my bosses at the Ministry of Health and will be arriving very shortly.”
Now, people in Bong County have now gone on record to have joined others in parts of Liberia and the world who have taken the first dose of the AstraZeneca jab of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Phebe Hospital’s 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 who took the vaccine on the very day of the exercise.
During that lunching ceremony, Dr. Flomo who took the AstraZeneca vaccine, urged Liberians to stop listening to rumors and misinformation surrounding the vaccine.
Bong County superintendent Esther Walker who also took the vaccine at that time said she were pleased to add to the number of Liberians and other nationals who had taken the first dose of the vaccine.
She assured the general public that the vaccine is very much safe and worthy to be taken, noting that she felt relief, in a sense that she had gotten assistance to fight COVID-19.
“Indeed i am 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’re too ahead to the health protocols more, Superintendent Walker adds”
She then called on all inhabitants across the county to take advantage of the opportunity to be vaccinated soon.
Ahead of the arrival of additional COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Flomo have encouraged individuals who are yet to take the vaccine not to panic noting that the vaccine is effective, efficient and free of charge.
He indicated that the COVID-19 vaccine provided by government through the Ministry of Health and donor partners is good and effective, and encouraged everyone to take advantage of it.
The Bong County’s Health Officer stated that the vaccine is not limited only to health workers, but the entire citizenry, and targets people between the ages of 18 years and above, stressing that taking advantage of the COVID-19 vaccine would help contain as well as stop the spread of the pandemic not only in Bong County but Liberia at large.
Meanwhile, Dr. Flomo has lauded the Ministry of Health and donor partners for the support they continue to provide the health sector of Bong County and Liberia.
Finally, Dr. Flomo stressed the need for more awareness and education needs to be carried out in communities, cities, towns and villages in order to continue informing the citizenry and rural people about the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.