Ministry of Health Starts Vaccination Campaign Against COVID19

Monrovia, Liberia, 01 April 2021 – Liberia rollout a nationwide Coronavirus Vaccination campaign, prioritizing frontline workers and vulnerable groups in the country.

Liberia received a total shipment of 123,000 AstraZeneca vaccines, via the COVAX initiative, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO. The beginning of the Liberia vaccination is in line with the world’s effort to eradicate the COVID19, and the vaccine is a critical new tool in the battle against the virus.

"This is the day many of us have been aspiring to reach after more than 12 months of continuous work with our partners and colleagues on the frontlines fighting this pandemic,” said Dr Wilhemina Jallah, Minister of Health. "I am gratified to see the fruits of our efforts and hopeful of our success as we rollout the covid-19 vaccination exercise intended to make everyone in Liberia safe.”

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 today will be one of the best ways to protect yourself and everyone around you. The more eligible people who get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Liberia, the better it is for everyone. Stopping the spread of COVID-19 globally and in Liberia gets us closer to the end of the pandemic. It is important to continue adherence to public health preventive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 even after you are fully vaccinated.” said Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Country Representative in Liberia.

"Today’s rollout of vaccines in Liberia is an important step forward in containing the spread of COVID-19. As one of the COVAX initiative partners, UNICEF is ensuring that vaccines are available to the frontline workers and the most vulnerable so that no one is left behind in this global fight,” said Laila O. Gad, UNICEF Representative in Liberia. “Together with wearing masks, washing hands, and observing social distance, and vaccination, we will reduce infections and save lives.”

To foster the early introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine in Liberia, the country has identified its 20 per cent priority population to be targeted. The priority group includes health care workers, elderly people (60+), people with co-morbidities, refugees and other essential workers who cannot social distance due to the work they performed. 

The AstraZeneca vaccines were tested in state-of-the-art laboratories, tried in thousands of renowned clinics and approved by WHO.  The same vaccines are being administered all over the world, including countries in Africa, like Ghana, Sierra Leone and Morocco, among others.