DILI, 27 October 2021 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste kicked off its Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination campaign for children aged 12 to 17 years, today, at the 30 August Basic School in Dili.
The vaccination campaign was jointly launched by the Minister of Health, Odete Maria Freitas Belo, together with the Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports (MoEYS), Armindo Maia, the Us Chargé d’Affaires, Thomas Daley, the UNICEF Representative in Timor-Leste, Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani, teachers and students who received the first dose of vaccination during the launch ceremony.
“The launch of the Pfizer vaccination campaign is another step in reducing the impact of COVID-19 on our communities, complementing other health protocols, and helping our beloved country to begin its process of returning to normally and economic recovery,” Minister Belo made the comments at the launching ceremony of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.
“By having the vaccine today, we are showing our commitment to reducing the impact of COVID-19 and protecting our children and their families. I would like to call on those who are eligible for the vaccination to get vaccinated,” said Belo.
She said the vaccine will protect the school children against the worst effect of the Covid-19, including severe illness, hospitalization, and deaths.
All children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old are eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It would be administered in line with Timor-Leste’s National COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Plan.
The vaccination will be administered at assigned vaccination posts, including schools announced by the Ministry of Health.
Timor-Leste received 100.620 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on 16 october 2021, the first consignment of the doses donated by the Government United States allocated through the COVAX facility for 20 percent of Timor-Leste’s population.
At the same place, the US Chargé d’Affaires, Thomas Daley said that: “On behalf of the American people, it is my pleasure to welcome the arrival of 100,620 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, a contribution from the United States to the Timorese people.”
“The United States is sharing these vaccines – here in Timor-Leste and around the world – because it is the right thing to do to end this pandemic and will make us all safer,” said Daley.
“These doses are the same ones that we use in the United States. They are safe and highly effective.”
Daley said since the pandemic began, the United States has also worked side-by-side with the Timorese government and civil society partners to provide more than $5.9 million in critical assistance to fight COVID-19.
In addition, Minister Maia called on parents to encourage their children to get vaccinated: “Our school children are underage; therefore, we need parents’ consent to allow and encourage their kids to receive their shots. It is our responsibility as parents and teachers to ensure our kids are safe at home as well as at school. Let’s combat the Covid-19 together to protect ourselves, our communities, and our beloved nation.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
