Dr Simon Burggraaf (standing in front) of WHO facilitating one of the awareness session.
COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness for Churches Underway
With the current COVID-19 vaccination roll out that is now underway at the Central Field Hospital in Honiara, health is also continuing its COVID-19 vaccine awareness roll out with the first group of church leaders and representatives in Honiara today. Tomorrow another similar training will be held for a second group.
Health Promotion Director Adrian Leamana highlighted that churches are a very influential institution in our country with the power to influence and shape public perception.
“As such, getting them on board to support the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine is very crucial in the current efforts of health to encourage the public to come forward to receive the vaccine once their turn comes”.
“Thank you to all our churches for your attendance today and health is looking forward towards your continued support as it progresses with its vaccination program”, stated Mr. Leamana.
Dr Yogesh Choudhri, MHMS Advisor giving a tour of the central field hospital to the church leaders and reps.
Around 30 participants attended the awareness, which was organized and facilitated by the Ministry of Health’s National Health Promotion Department in collaboration with the COVID-19 vaccine Technical Working Group.
Health Technical Advisor Dr Yogesh Choudhri and Dr Simon Burggraaf from WHO facilitated presentation and discussion around the development of COVID-19 vaccines around the world, those that are listed by WHO for emergency use that included AstraZeneca vaccine, and what it means, its safety and efficacy, current roll out plan that is currently being implemented and other necessary information.
Question and answer session was also allocated to address existing fears and anxieties from the participants.
The awareness concluded with a brief walk through the vaccination site, Central Field Hospital where the church leaders and representative were offered the opportunity to see first- hand workflow for vaccinations and the actual administration of the vaccine by health workers.
The awareness team whilst out conducting vaccine awareness to priority groups to receive the vaccines, they are also preparing for deployment to the western border provinces to support provincial health promotion officers to conduct community level awareness of the vaccines to prepare communities for planned roll of the vaccines there in the coming days and weeks.
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