DILI, 02 august 2021 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Ministry of Social, Solidarity, and Inclusion (MSSI) today, launch the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Malboro hamlet of Ailok Village, in Cristo Rei Administrative Post, in Dili.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the campaign, the Administrator of the Cristo Rei Administrative Post, Gaspar da Silva called on parents and young people over 18 in the hamlet to get vaccinated.
“Cristo Rei’s Covid-19 vaccination rate remains the lowest in Dili municipality. While the vaccination rate of Ailok village is the lowest of all villages of the Cristo Rei Administrative Post. Thus, the government decided to launch the vaccination campaign by focusing on the countryside area and today we are here in Marlboro village,” Silva told reporters at the launching ceremony of Covid-19 vaccination at Malboro Hamlet of Ailok Village, in Dili, today.
At the same place, Dr. Mario da Graça Noronha said vaccines are important to increase the human immune system to fight against the Covid-19.
He said the majority of the countries across the world are currently relied on the vaccine to fight against the Covid-19: “I call on communities in the village to not trust hoax and receive the vaccine to increase your immune system to fight against Covid-19.”
“It’s normal to experience a reaction during 36 hours after getting vaccinated. Normally, two out of ten vaccinated people always experience adverse reactions, such as fever, etc. Scientifically, the benefits still outweigh the risks of the side effects of the Covid-19 vaccines,” said Noronha.
Noronha affirmed that so far, the number of Covid-19 cases had been dropped slightly in Dili due to the majority of the population had already been fully vaccinated.
In addition, WHO’s Consultant, Dr. Nahar thanked the enthusiasm in the community people, in the Malboro hamlet: “Vaccination campaign is important to end this pandemic of Covid-19.”
“Timor-Leste procured best quality vaccines, including AstraZeneca and Sinovac. These vaccines are safe and effective in combating the Covid-19. I would like to request all the communities here, please take the vaccine today and go back to mobilize your family members and relatives to come over here to have their jabs. We have to remember that nobody is safe until each and everyone is vaccinated,” said Nahar.
Vice-Minister, Armanda Berta dos Santos urged the communities to put aside their doubts and get the vaccines.
“Raising the awareness of community members regarding the Covid-19 vaccine is important to get people vaccinated. Due to a lack of information and knowledge of the communities on the Covid-19 vaccine, making many community members still doubt to receive the vaccine. Thus, this vaccination campaign is important for all of us to understand the benefits of the vaccine. Vaccination is the only way to return the current situation to normal,” said Minister Santos.
In Timor-Leste, of the 754.864 eligible groups, 289.068 (38.3%) had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of the number, around 99.057 (13.12%) have also received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
