Australia donates additional 50,000 Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine doses
AUSTRALIA is delivering on its pledge to provide Solomon Islands with up to one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
Of this number, 50,000 additional AstraZeneca doses arrived in Honiara on Friday, 17 December 2021. With this latest delivery, the total number of vaccines provided by Australia now exceeds a quarter of a million, a statement by the Australian High Commission in Honiara, said.
“This is the fifth shipment of Australian-made AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in Solomon Islands. These additional 50,000 doses ensure the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has the supply it needs on hand as it continues the national vaccine roll-out, despite the recent civil unrest,” the statement said.
Highlighting the longstanding health partnership between the two countries, acting Australian High Commissioner Ms Sally-Anne Vincent said:
“Australia is committed to working with the Solomon Islands Government to achieve its vaccination roll-out targets and to strengthen its COVID-19 preparedness and resilience.
‘We will continue to provide Solomon Islands with a steady, reliable, and safe supply of vaccines to help protect the community over the festive season and into the future,” acting High Commissioner ,” Ms Vincent said.
Australia stands with our Pacific Family and is committed to working with Solomon Islands to fight COVID-19.
“In the COVID-19 context, we have not only worked with the MHMS to provide vaccines but our close partnership has meant we were able to develop together strict protocols and testing regimes to support the arrival of Australian personnel with the Solomons International Assistance Force,” said Ms Vincent.
Australian forces are working closely in support of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, alongside our Pacific Family – Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand.
“Australia’s longstanding development partnership programs, including in areas such as health, education, infrastructure and governance, are pivoting to support Solomon Islands recovery at this time.”
