People who got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will surely be getting their second dose in the next 8 to 12 weeks – Dr Waqainabete

Minister for Health Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete confirms that everyone that got their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will surely be getting their second dose in the next 8 to 12 weeks as they have kept it aside.

Doctor Waqainabete says this is the way their vaccination program has been made and they will always follow it.

He says they aim to finish off this phase of vaccination by Saturday where they will have 50,000 people vaccinated.

Doctor Waqainabete says now there is a lot more interest in vaccination and just looking at the photos of the number of people getting vaccinated will uplift spirits.

Waqainabete says this has also been uplifting for health care workers and the disciplined forces because they have been working hard behind the scenes.

He says more than 9,000 people were vaccinated yesterday alone.

The Minister says with the number of people that have been vaccinated now, more people have a fair idea of what side effects to expect after getting the first dose.

Waqainabete says the good news for us is that no one has needed extensive medical care because of the side effects. He says some of the people experienced fever, body pain and other symptoms which were expected.

He says they are very happy with the response and their planning continues for the next batch of vaccines.