Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will be amongst the first to be vaccinated during the official COVID-19 vaccine launch tomorrow.

The launching will take place at the Central Field Hospital, Multi-Purpose Hall.

The Prime Minister in his nationwide address on Monday this week said this is to demonstrate confidence to the people that the vaccine is safe.

“Fellow Solomon Islanders, to demonstrate my confidence on the AstraZeneca vaccine, I will be among the first to receive the ‘vaccine shot’ after the official launch on Wednesday morning this week,” he said.

He said many other leaders have also decided to take the vaccine after the formal launching.

“Please join us and take the vaccine when your turn comes,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said all national leaders including all members of the National Parliament are also included in the first rollout of the first 7,000 doses of the vaccine to be deployed in Honiara.

He said following the Honiara vaccine rollout, the vaccinating teams will proceed to the western border together with the medical teams.

Prime Minister Sogavare said work has commenced at the emergency zone along the western border to prepare the list of people to be vaccinated and to identify the locations for vaccination centres.

“The COVID-19 situation in Papua New Guinea and especially in Bougainville, has led the government to prioritise the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines at the Emergency Zones along the western border. This covers North west Choiseul, Shortlands, and Malaita Outer Islands,” he said.

Source: OPMC