18/01/2021
National COVID-19 Immunisation Campaign begins in Seychelles
Seychelles, one of the top tourist destinations for travellers, leaps towards immunization as the country launched its national COVID-19 Immunization Campaign on Sunday, January 10, 2021.
Being the first country in Africa to start a COVID-19 national vaccination program, Seychelles aims to be the first country in the world to vaccinate 70% of the over 18 years of age population in order to achieve herd immunity.
Leading by example, is the President of the Republic of Seychelles, H E Wavel Ramkalawan, as he takes the SinoPharm COVID-19 Vaccine, making him the first Head of State in Africa to take the first jab.
The campaign launch, held at the Seychelles Hospital started on a high note as about a hundred people including leaders, health workers, media personalities received their first shot of the SinoPharm COVID-19 showing their support towards the country’s immunization efforts.
Following the launch, the Ministry of Health will roll- out the administering of the Vaccine to key groups in the country as of Monday, January 11, 2021, starting with Health Care Workers and other front-line groups including the tourism industry operators.
President Ramkalawan restated the need for the country to unite as a nation and to rally behind the Health Authorities to help curb the spread of this deadly virus, protect the lives of all citizens and restore economic development in the country.
Attending the ceremony was the Former President of the Republic, Mr Danny Faure, who thanked President Ramkalawan for having him present and receive the vaccine. This greatly shows solidarity in the country, from previous to present leaders, as it battles the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With such a robust vaccination campaign, Seychelles aims to be the first country in the world to vaccinate at least 70% of its over 18 population. From there we will be able to declare Seychelles as being COVID safe,” President Ramkalawan emphasized.
The president also added that Seychelles will be receiving new batches of vaccines soon, including 100,000 doses of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine that is due to arrive in the country by the end of January.
Speaking of the vaccination Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde mentioned the importance of this move by the government for the industry.
"The COVID-19 immunization campaign is an important milestone for the restart of our tourism industry as the country balances its efforts to maintain its tourism activities and protect its population from further spread of the virus. The world has not come to a standstill and there are people who are still keen to travel. We need to fast rebuild our industry for our economic prosperity depends on it." said Minister Radegonde.
Minister Radegonde further restated the need for the tourism industry partners to remain vigilant for their safety and the safety of the population.
塞舌爾開始實施全國新冠病毒免疫計劃
作為遊客最喜愛的旅遊目的地之一的塞舌爾,正步向全國新冠病毒免疫計劃,並於2021年1月10日實施為全國人民接種新冠疫苗。
塞舌爾是非洲第一個開始進行全國新冠疫苗接種計劃的國家,其目標是成為世界上第一個對18歲以上人口中的70%進行疫苗接種,進而實現群體免疫的國家。
以身作則的是塞舌爾共和國總統拉姆拉卡旺閣下(H E WavelRamkalawan),他接種了中國國藥集團生產的新冠疫苗(SinoPharm COVID-19),他也是非洲首位接種新冠疫苗的國家元首。
這項計劃在塞舌爾醫院啟動,並引起了社會的高度關注。包括領導人、醫療工作者、媒體人士在內大約100多人接種了中國國藥集團生產的第一劑新冠疫苗。這顯示了他們對塞舌爾全國新冠病毒免疫計劃工作的支持。
接種計劃開始後,衛生部將由2021年1月11日開始安排塞舌爾的主要人群接種新冠疫苗,首先是醫護人員和其他前線工作人員,包括旅遊業界人士。
拉姆拉卡旺總統重申國家需要團結一致,結合衛生部門的力量齊心抗疫,以幫助抑制這種致命病毒的傳播,保護所有國民的生命安全,並恢復本國的經濟發展。
塞舌爾前總統丹尼·富爾(Danny Faure)先生也出席了這項儀式,他感謝拉姆拉卡旺總統的邀請,並接種了新冠疫苗。能得到現任和前任領導人一同齊心抗疫,這最大程度上顯示了塞舌爾的團結。
“通過如此大規模的新冠疫苗接種計劃,塞舌爾的目標是成為世界上第一個對18歲以上人口的70%進行疫苗接種的國家。屆時我們將能夠宣布塞舌爾為新冠病毒安全的國家",拉姆拉卡旺總統強調。
總統補充說,塞舌爾將很快收到新一批疫苗,包括將在1月底運抵塞舌爾的10萬劑牛津阿斯利康疫苗。
在談到疫苗時,塞舌爾外交及旅遊部部長拉德貢德(SylvestreRadegonde)先生提到了政府此舉對旅遊業的重要性。
“ 新冠病毒免疫計劃是讓我們的旅遊業重新出發的重要里程碑,因為塞舌爾致力在維持其旅遊業活動及保護其國民免受新冠病毒的進一步傳播作出了平衡。世界尚未陷入停頓,還有很多熱衷於旅行的人。我們需要快速重建我們的旅遊行業,因為我們的經濟繁榮也取決於它。” 拉德貢德部長說。
拉德貢德部長進一步重申了旅遊業的合作夥伴必須對其安全和人民的安全保持警惕。