The Ministry of Health is advising the public that the Pfizer vaccine has been launched last week Thursday.

They are encouraging parents and guardians of children aged between 12 to 18 years to come forward and get vaccinated. Pregnant mothers are also encouraged to come forward and get their vaccination, protect themselves and their unborn child from COVID-19.

The Health Ministry says that pregnant mothers are more vulnerable to COVID-19, making it essential that they get immunized.

The Health Ministry says the Pfizer vaccines would not have been possible without the support of the United States government, through the COVAX facility. This ensures that there is equitable distribution of the Pfizer vaccines across the world, with part of the vaccines coming to Solomon Islands.

The Ministry says it will continue the administration of Pfizer vaccines for both our children and pregnant mothers at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) car park.

The Ministry is looking into moving the vaccines to Honiara city clinics to ensure that it is closer to the communities and homes especially for parents and their children and pregnant mothers.

The Ministry would like to remind the public that these Pfizer vaccines are similar to AstraZeneca and Sinopharm. They have all gone through the necessary safety and efficacy protocols set in place by WHO, and has since approved been approved WHO for emergency use globally.

Locally, the National Medicines and Therapeutic Committee has also approved these vaccines for use in Solomon Islands.

With MHMS