South Sudanese health workers hail start of COVID-19 vaccination

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JUBA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Several South Sudanese health workers are more willing to take risks to fight COVID-19 after receiving AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine. The world's youngest nation on Monday started vaccinating health workers, including elderly people above 60 years as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

On March 25, Juba received 132,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility. The country is expected to receive a total of 732,000 doses of vaccines within the first six months of 2021.

Jawahir Awad Lemi, a nurse at Juba Teaching Hospital which is one of the vaccination centers, said she is no longer afraid of catching the novel coronavirus after receiving her jab. "I am not worried about coronavirus because the vaccine gives us protection," Lemi told Xinhua on Friday in Juba.

Lemi is among health workers assigned to collect samples from people for COVID-19 testing in the main referral hospital. "I encourage the general public to come and take this vaccine," she added.

South Sudan had registered 10,340 cumulative cases of COVID-19, including 10,090 recoveries and 114 deaths as of Thursday.

Lemi said that she is continuing to adhere to the preventive health guidelines such as wearing of face mask, hand washing, social distancing, despite having been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Judith Cenia Ondogo, a maternal, neonatal and child health officer at Juba Teaching and Referral Hospital expressed relief after being vaccinated, adding that this will help dispel fears and doubts over the efficacy of the vaccines.

"I wish all our community would come and have it, so that the number of deaths reduces," said Ondogo.

George Auzanio, director for immunization program in the ministry of health said the available vaccines are not enough, adding that their priority currently is to vaccinate some 2.4 million people out of the country's estimated population of 12 million.

Auzanio disclosed that the ongoing first round of vaccination will also include people living with diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and HIV/AIDS.

He, however, conceded that their plan to expand vaccination in the countryside is being hampered by logistical challenges in addition to cash shortage. "We are having logistical and financial difficulties in order to expand the vaccination to the states. If we receive the money immediately, we will roll out the vaccine any time from now to the states," said Auzanio.

He revealed that about 30 people received jabs on the first day of launching the vaccine in the capital.

Okello John Michael, a dentist based in Juba said that the arrival of the vaccine has brought hope to many South Sudanese. He encouraged the public to turn up and get vaccinated.

Atem Riak, director general for primary health care said they are planning to train more health workers before rolling out the vaccines in the states. "We are working on rolling out the vaccines to the states but first we need to train some people to give out the vaccines correctly," he said. Enditem