PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the Pfizer vaccines will arrive in the country on November 16th (Tuesday).
Mr Sogavare stated this in his nation-wide address on Friday.
“By next week we will have a third vaccine the Pfizer vaccine.
“The Pfizer vaccines will arrive in the country on 16 November 2021,” Mr Sogavare said.
He said the Pfizer vaccines have been approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use for all persons 12 yrs and above, due to limited supply.
He added it will be administered only to children between 12 to 18 years and to pregnant mothers.
“Rollout will commence in Honiara and slowly expand to the provinces as our provincial workforce is trained for the Pfizer rollout,” Sogavare said.
Prime Minister then thanked the Government and the people of the United States of America and Covax for their support to make Pfizer vaccines available to people of Solomon Islands.
He added the vaccines will be administered from the schools and clinics which will be much easier and more efficient.
“All children between 12 and 18 years of age will need consent from their parents or guardians to receive their Pfizer vaccination. Minister for health and education are developing the Pfizer vaccination rollout plans in schools commencing in Honiara,” Sogavare said.
He then thanked UNICEF for supporting the preparatory work with installation of five ultra-cold chain equipments at the National Medical Store with a 100kVA generator as back up.
Also he thanked UINCEF for supporting the training of cold chain managers for the equipment and the accessories and supplies.
By ESTHER NURIA
Newsroom, Honiara
