More than 200 people have finally received their second jab of AstraZeneca vaccine, following its arrival to Eastern Equatoria State last week.
UNICEF Communication for Development Officer, Joshua Brown, informs Radio Emmanuel that the vaccination takes place in Torit and Kapoeta vaccination centers.
According to the report, 123 people have received their jabs.
Brown confirms that the AstraZeneca vaccine has been distributed to most centers in the State.
“AstraZeneca has already reached not only Torit, but also Nimule, Kapoeta and Chukudum, the vaccination exercise for AstraZeneca has started in all this four counties, the role out is currently happening in the six vaccination sites which is Nimule Hospital, Torit state Hospital, imehejek, chukudum and Kapoeta state civil hospital, it was actually delivered last week and started on use both greater Kapoeta and Torit 218”.
Brown attributes the quick response of people to AstraZeneca vaccine, to the prior information delivered to the population through community mobilization.
“Those who received the first dose were actually given a duration of 12 weeks or three month, and they were informed by the community mobilizers to actually come for the second dose, and they are receiving the second dose in all the vaccination site on the ground, we are focusing on the vaccination areas because those were the area which were use during the first, second and third phase to make sure that we have access to most of the people who took their first doze to take the second doze”.
Brown encourages those who have not been vaccinated to consider taking the jab, as the State runs out of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“Those who have not taken the first doze can also come and take it so that they also wait for the second doze. We are limiting those who have not receive off course Johnson and Johnson was as well-being use currently is out of stock because the demand was very high, that is why UNICEF country office is now looking for a possibility of getting additional consignment on Johnson and Johnson, but for mean time since AstraZeneca is in the country in all state, they are currently using it, until when Johnson and Johnson is brought then those who want to take Johnson and Johnson can take it.
The UNICEF communication for development officer, was speaking to Radio Emmanuel in an exclusive interview in his office on Thursday.