DILI, 28 september 2021 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak is optimistic that the Covid-19 vaccination would reach 80 percent coverage by the end of 2021, which will return the situation to normal.
“Based on the current pace of the Covid-19 vaccination, I believe that Timor-Leste will reach an 80 percent coverage by the end of the year,” Ruak made the comments during the plenary session on the renewal of the state of emergency, at the National Parliament, on Tuesday.
“Despite facing difficulties, the government is committed to continuing its national vaccination campaign against Covid-19. On September 7, Timor-Leste received a total of 1.112.380 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, which was provided by the COVAX Facility, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Portugal,” said Ruak.
He said the Pfizer vaccines will arrive soon for the Timorese children aged 12 to 17.
“Our wish is to return the situation to normal. We hope that the vaccination campaign will present us with a new opportunity to go back to normal life. And we will have a chance to focus on economic development,” said Ruak.
Ruak said Government will renew its commitment and evaluating its measures in combating the Covid-19.
“We have already seen more than 100 deaths. Thus, I call on the eligible populations who haven’t got vaccinated to visit the nearest vaccination centers to receive their jabs. It won’t only protect them, but also their loved ones, including family members, friends, and communities,” said Ruak.
In Timor-Leste, of the 754.864 eligible groups, 58.2 percent had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, of which 35.5 percent have also received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
There has been a total of 19.445 lab-confirmed cases of the virus in Timor-Leste, with 18.493 recoveries, active cases were 838 and 113 deaths, according to SIJK’s data.
Journalist: Antonia Gusmão
Editor: Julia Chatarina
Translation: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
