US gifts 100,620 Pfizer Covid jabs to Lesotho
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By Lerema Pheea
Lesotho has received 100,620 doses of Covid-19 Pfizer vaccines donated by the United States of America’s government.
This donation comes as the second delivery of vaccines; first batch was received in July when U.S donated 302 400 doses of Covid-19 Johnson and Johnson vaccines.
In a statement released by the U.S. Embassy Maseru, United Nations International Children`s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) Lesotho, the donation is a result of efforts made through the COVAX facility to accelerate the development of and access to Covid-19 vaccines.
“Today`s donation signifies the continuation of the US global leadership in public health and international Covid-19 response which is critical towards ending this pandemic.
“We will continue to support the vaccine rollout that the Ministry of Health and trusted implementing partners are undertaking,” said US Ambassador Rebecca Gonzales.
WHO representative to Lesotho Richard Banda explained that Lesotho is making tremendous progress in getting vaccines to all citizens and the arrival of these doses means more Basotho will have access to a Covid-19 vaccine.
Banda said that to ensure the safe storage and handling of these vaccines, UNICEF has provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and facilitated the donation of four, 100 liter, ultra-low-temperature freezers.
“Lesotho has so fair successfully vaccinated over 500,000 people and the current rate the country is on track to achieve the WHO target of 40% of the population getting vaccinated in December 2021,” said Banda.
The statement concluded that even as the vaccination is rollout, all Basotho are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, washing their hands regularly, avoiding crowded places as well as practicing social distancing.
