Nauru COVID vaccination launch, a success
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Monday, 12 April, 2021
Nauru COVID vaccination launch,
a success
Nauru is well underway to 100 per
cent COVID-19 immunisation coverage of the adult population, with
His Excellency President Lionel Aingimea receiving the first shot
of the COVAX AstraZenenca vaccine on launch day, 9 April.
Minister for Health Isabella
Dageago administered the first vaccine shot for the President,
being a qualified and trained nurse. Although no longer at the
frontline, it is a demonstration of the government's belief in the
importance of getting vaccinated.
The launch was a huge success with
seamless operation through the four stages of registration,
screening, injection and observation.
For launch day, 106 invitations
were delivered but 168 shots were administered; clearly
demonstrating the willingness of the public to get ahead and get
vaccinated. The excess numbers of people were walk-ins.
The opening prayer and blessing of
the vaccination rollout was rendered by Father Keleto.
President Lionel Aingimea, Madam
Ingrid Aingimea, Speaker of Parliament Marcus Stephen and Chief
Justice Taniela Fatiaki were among the launch group.
In his opening address, President
Aingimea remembers those "that have perished from this dreaded
virus."
"We are not only COVID-free but
come the end of June we will be the only country, I think, in the
world that is 100 per cent protected through vaccination against
the ravages of COVID-19," President Aingimea said.
"We in Nauru have been, by the
grace of God, blessed not to have been touched [by coronavirus] and
I was just thinking this morning that I have yet to hear even of a
Nauruan overseas who has been touched by this virus. That is indeed
a blessing.
"I give my most my heartfelt
thanks, as does Government to the health people who have worked so
hard over a few weeks to make sure they're ready in regards to
training so they can administer this vaccination.
"This vaccination is open to all
here in Nauru, ages 18 and above, regardless of race, colour or
creed," the President said.
The Health Minister echoed the
President's words that Nauru remains COVID-free "because our
prayers have been answered by the delivery of this very important
vaccine", and warns against misinformation encouraging Nauruans to
ask questions and rely on trustworthy sources such as the World
Health Organisation, UNICEF, COVAX and government resources.
"All vaccines have mild side
effects, the same with the COVID-10 vaccine. These are normal and
expected and shows your body is producing the desired immune
response.
"More than half of us will have the
desired side effects after the vaccine, usually only for a few
hours or one to two days, at most," the Minister advised.
Side effects can include pain,
redness and swelling at the injection site, headache, mild fever,
feeling unwell, muscle aches and nausea.
The Minister says serious adverse
reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare.
"But we [government] take them
[side effects] seriously. The health staff are prepared to manage
allergic reactions and the department will monitor closely for any
other serious reactions."
The Minister thanks the governments
of Australia and Taiwan for their donations of the vaccines as well
as the government of India, USA, Israel and Japan, and the Asian
Development Bank for their efforts and assistance is funding and
facilitating the delivery of the vaccine to Nauru.
Due to the vaccines short shelf
life, the vaccination schedule is being rolled out quickly to
ensure the vaccines are used up before the expiry dates. The first
dose is scheduled to be rolled out over four weeks and the second
dose to be administered by mid-July.
The five injection stations were
each managed by a registered nurse assisted by nurse aides, who
received compliments for their steady hands and professional
handling in administering the injection and in reassuring their
patients. A doctor was on hand
Launch day also provided the
opportunity to observe any setbacks in the roll out procedure so
any hitch could be addressed and corrected for this week's
schedule
Vaccination continues from today,
Monday 12 April for frontline workers; walk-ins are also
welcome.
Provided all eligible adults come
in for both their shots, all eligible adults in Nauru will be
vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of June.