The outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its resulting repercussions have shaken the world, causing an unprecedented state of confusion, social and economic deterioration, and leaving an enormous death toll. <\/p>\n
From the outset, countries rushed to produce a vaccine to alleviate the plight that people are enduring. Just after the WHO declared the existence of a COVID-19 vaccine, the countries, including Mauritania, have been striving to acquire it by all available means and ways. <\/p>\n
In this context, some people are enquiring whether Mauritania has secured enough quantities of the vaccines that might reduce the crisis’ exacerbation; does the country seek to oblige citizens to take the vaccine shot if they get enough quantities? And who are the priority groups for vaccination? <\/p>\n
In an interview with the Mauritanian News Agency, the director of Public Health, Mr. Sidi Ould Zahaf, said that the vaccine is optional and limited to those willing to take it. He affirmed that the government would conduct an operation of explanation and awareness-raising throughout the national territory on the vaccine\u2019s nature and its goal without obliging anyone to take the dose.<\/p>\n
He revealed that the 20% that the country will receive, the priority would be for vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, those who have chronic diseases, patients with immunodeficiency problems, and those who use drugs that limit their immunity. This priority group was identified and roughly counted.<\/p>\n
The second priority group is related to healthcare workers, as they are most at risk for exposure to COVID-19 infection. The third group includes border-crossing workers, public administration workers, and various sectors such as education and the military.<\/p>\n
He declared that WHO had, so far, approved only the Pfizer vaccine among those who are still in the experimentation phase, noting that this vaccine, which has been introduced in some countries, requires a specific cooling system and needs to be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n
He said that around 30 types of vaccines have reached advanced stages of experimentation and that rich countries supported, from the very beginning, laboratories, and global companies to ensure that they benefit earlier.<\/p>\n
He announced that the international community has begun to pay attention to the rich countries\u2019 monopoly of vaccines. Thus, it has introduced an initiative to include all countries and securing the benefits of all populations. Our country is, from the beginning, among the beneficiaries of this initiative.<\/p>\n
In this regard, he noted that all necessary documents had been prepared for this. This initiative endeavors to provide funds to support laboratories and scientific research, as well as granting one billion vaccines to the least developed countries. The first proposal is to provide 20% of safe vaccines as a first batch to the concerned countries.<\/p>\n
This vaccine, according to him, aims at alleviating the suffering of patients and reducing pressure on the health systems to be able to respond to emergencies and other cases. the Fulfilment of such aims would reduce the death rate and infection cases; therefore, the damage caused by the pandemic is to be contained easily like other diseases. If we use the vaccine and give positive results, life will get back to normal.<\/p>\n
He said that the ministry prepared a file that met all conditions, accompanied by a letter signed by the ministers of health and finance to join this initiative and obtain vaccines. In this context, the specialized authorities were inquired if the country is ready to get the first batch of the Pfizer vaccine.<\/p>\n
He added that this vaccine requires special conservation conditions; thus, the ministry expressed its need for an effective and safe vaccine that suits the national cooling network used in the extended vaccination program.<\/p>\n
He stressed that the government had doubled its efforts to obtain the vaccines by all ways and means. In this regard, the President of the Republic has commissioned the minister of foreign affairs, minister of health, and minister of finance to work intensively to get the vaccine. Despite their efforts, the vaccine has not yet been available due to the high demand and the repeated tests to meet the conditions stipulated globally.
\nGetting a vaccine depends on international and bilateral understandings.<\/p>\n
He concluded that our country would adopt the most suitable vaccine in terms of its compatibility with our health system and efficacity, noting the preference for a one-shot vaccine due to its simplicity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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