Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Kalumbi Shangula has announced that Namibia will receive 100 620 doses of Pfizer vaccine donated by the United States of America on Friday.

Shangula made the announcement on Thursday during the official handover of an oxygen generation plant to the Mariental District Hospital by Namib Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA).

Shangula called on members of the public to get vaccinated, noting that with the arrival of Pfizer, Namibia will have five different types of COVID-19 vaccines available in large quantities across the country.

“The country now has sufficient stock of vaccines available at vaccination sites across the country. We recently received more than 100 000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines. We also received doses of AstraZeneca from the Federal Republic of Germany. We now have a diversified portfolio of vaccines available in the country. We are talking about Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. I call upon all eligible persons to get vaccinated’,” Shangula said.

He further noted that scientists in the country are currently reviewing available literature with a view toward expanding the vaccination eligibility criteria in order to afford more Namibians protection against COVID-19 through vaccination.

Currently only persons above the age of 18 are eligible for vaccination in Namibia and as of Tuesday, the country had administered 248 269 first doses and 159 233 second doses.

Shangula said it is important that the community assists the ministry in preventing another devastating wave.

“I have said it and will say it again, we must spare no effort or energy to defeat this pandemic together. I hasten to add however that, in the final analysis, the most effective way to defeat this pandemic is through change of behaviour and compliance with the COVID-19 public health regulations. It is through getting more people vaccinated in order to reach the required level of herd immunity,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency