PHOTO: County Health Officer, Dr. Flomo and residents at the official launch
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- The central county of Bong has joined other counties in Liberia to take the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 single dose vaccine in the first phase of the exercise, with 29,400 doses received from the Ministry of Health.
At the launching ceremony Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at the Camp Tubman Military Barrack in Gbarnga, Bong County Health Officer, Dr. Jonathan Flomo urged Bongese to stop listening to rumors and misinformation surrounding the vaccine.
The Liberian government through the Ministry of Health, according to Dr. Flomo has done due diligence by bringing into the country especially in Bong county the J&J vaccine in order to ensure that citizens are protected against COVID-19.
Dr. Flomo indicated that the J&J vaccine is a one shot unlike the AstraZeneca that people were asked to take first and second doses.
“We want to also inform you all that have gathered here to witness this J&J vaccine launch please don’t take the J&J vaccine if you have already taken the AstraZeneca vaccine. Doing so will be very much dangerous for you. But for those of you that have not taken the AstraZeneca vaccine you can now take the J&J, it’s good for all of us, “Dr. Flomo added.
He wants all citizens across the Country take the J&J vaccine very seriously, adding that doing so will be very helpful in the fight against the virus.
Dr. Flomo at the same time reiterated the need for protective actions by all citizens as a means of stopping the spread of the disease with a call on all Liberians to keep following all of the proscribed health measures, even when you have taken the vaccine.
Also, Frank M. Garpue, MOE Bong County Planning Officer vowed to take the message to every school across the county.
“We can assure you today that we are going to tell our students to take this vaccine, it’s safe,” Mr. Garpue said.
Local county authorities, health workers, the military, ordinary citizens, representative of other development partners, dignitaries, the media were all present at the launching ceremony of the Johnson and Johnson or J&J vaccine.