DILI, 11 june 2021 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste would launch the Chinese Sinovac vaccine, on monday, at the National University of Timor-Lorosa’e (UNTL), in Dili.
The Spokesperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Covid-19 immunization, Dr. Danina Coelho said that the Chinese Sinovac vaccine was prioritized for the eligible group of the population between the age of 18 and 59, including young people, University students, sportsmen, and the Chinese population in Timor-Leste.
“Due to the request by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture and the Ministry of Education, Youths and Sport to reopen schools, universities and sports activities in the country, therefore the Government through the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Covid-19 immunization had made a decision to prioritize the vaccination of Chinese Sinovac vaccine for young people over 18, university students, sportsmen and Chinese community in Timor-Leste,” Coelho made the comments, at the hall of the Ministry of Social, Solidarity, and Inclusion (MSSI), in Dili, today.
She said four immunization centers of the Sinovac vaccine would be opened for the public next week, including one vaccine center at UNTL Campus, another one at the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport (SEJD), one in Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), and the other one at the Chinese Association in Fatuhada neighborhood, in Dili.
Coelho said these four vaccination centers would be opened for the public from 9.am to 4.pm every day.
“I call on all communities who are eligible for the vaccination to get vaccinated, as it is important to protect ourselves, our families, and those people around us,” said Coelho.
In addition, Odete da Silva Viegas, Director-General of Health Services said that so far Timor-Leste had vaccinated more than 10 percent of its population.
In Timor-Leste, of the 1.3 million populations, 754, 864 people were eligible to receive the vaccine.
As of june 9, Timor-Leste has received a total of 294.800 vaccines, which made up of 124.800 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from the COVAX Facility, including the 24.000 doses supported by the New Zealand Government, 70,000 from the Australian Government, and 100.000 Sinovac vaccines given by the Chinese Government.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
