Somalia receives 1.6 million J&J Covid-19 vaccine doses from Sweden and the Czech Republic
On 27 August 2022, Somalia received 1,645,600 doses of Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine from the Government of Sweden and the Government of the Czech Republic.
The vaccines were donated by both countries through the COVAX facility. To date, approximately 2.3 million people have been fully vaccinated against covid-19 and over 1.9 million people partially vaccinated.
On this occasion, HE Dr Ali Haji Adam Abubakar, Minister of Health and Human Services of the Federal Government of Somalia said, “We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Sweden and the Czech Republic for supporting us in protecting Somalis against covid-19.
The vaccines we have received will truly save lives, enable us to create more equality between Somalis from different backgrounds and contribute to our national health goals to ensure we leave no one behind.
This is even more important now that the country is facing a severe drought and mass displacement, leaving more people vulnerable to disease.”
The ongoing drought has brought the country to the brink of famine, leaving 7.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, and around 1 million people internally displaced.
“I am very proud that Sweden has once again shown solidarity with the people of Somalia to fight the covid-19 pandemic. The 1,360,800 doses that the Swedish government is now donating will help Somalia vaccinate more people. .
In addition to the vaccine donation through COVAX, Sweden also has a long-term commitment and support to the health sector in Somalia, including financial support to strengthen the healthcare systems is channeled through WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and Save the Children,” says the Swedish ambassador to Somalia, Mr. Per Lindgärde.
Dr Mamunur Rahman Malik, WHO Representative in Somalia said: “Overall, 15% of Somalia’s population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 so far and 12% are partially vaccinated.
Together with the government, donors and other partners, we have used creative ways and impactful innovations to reach the most vulnerable people, prevent further spread of covid-19 and leverage these efforts to rebuild health systems. But we still have a long way to go. Somalia’s goal is to vaccinate at least 40% of people by the end of 2022.”
“Somalia has made significant progress in obtaining safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. UNICEF continues to work closely with the government and partners to ensure communities are aware of the benefits of being vaccinated,” said Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Somalia Representative. “The humanitarian situation calls for urgent action to scale up COVID-19 vaccination and other life-saving humanitarian assistance, especially for internally displaced people, rural communities and nomads.”
Some of the challenges holding back Covid-19 vaccination in Somalia include limited access to specific areas due to insecurity or logistical challenges.