DILI, 14 june 2021, (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Health, established eight Sinovac vaccination centers in Dili, following the launching of the Sinovac vaccine campaign at the National University of Timor-Lorosa’e (UNTL), today.
These eight vaccination centers included one at the UNTL campus, one at the Institute of Business (IOB), one at Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), one at the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport (SEJD), another one at the Chinese Association Center in Fatuhada neighborhood, one in Hudi-Laran neighborhood, one in Aimutin area and another one at Fatumeta Clinic.
“The duration of the Sinovac vaccination in capital Dili is one week, and we will not distribute the vaccines to the municipalities. But we may distribute the vaccines to the municipalities if our targeted groups in Dili are covered or get vaccinated,” Odete da Silva Viegas, the Director-General of Health Services Delivery told reporters after the launching ceremony of the Sinovac vaccine campaign at UNTL, today.
Viegas affirmed that the Sinovac vaccine had the same efficiency as the AstraZeneca vaccine, adding the only difference was the second shot of the Sinovac vaccine was needed to take after a month its first shot, while the AstraZeneca vaccines required three months.” Viegas said.
At the same place, the Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Xiao Jianguo considered the 100, 000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine as a special present for the Timorese people, following the request made by Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak.
“I hope through these vaccines will strengthen the bilateral relations of Timor-Leste and China. Therefore, the Sinovac vaccine is a present for Timorese people to combat the coronavirus in the country,” said Jianguo.
At the launching ceremony of the Sinovac vaccination campaign, several government officials, lecturers, students, and some Chinese communities received their first shot of the vaccine.
More than 60,000 individuals, consisting of students, lecturers, and the Chinese communities in Timor-Leste were targeted to get vaccinated with the 100,000 Sinovac vaccines.
Journalist: Felicidade Ximenes
Editor: Cipriano Colo
Translator: Filomeno Martins
