Sidat Fofana, was speaking on Friday at a press confab ahead of the start of round 9 of a nationwide immunization against Covid-19 held at the Central Medical Store, Kotu.
The nationwide exercise slated from 1st to 10th March, is targeting children aged 12 and above.
Fofana reiterated that the pandemic is still with us, adding that the only way to get rid of the pandemic is to vaccinate as much as 70% of the country’s total population.
“There is no other way people can protect themselves apart from vaccination. That is the most effective of preventing one from severe form or even hospitalization.”
Fofana expressed government’s concern with the low vaccination coverage in the country, saying so far, the country has vaccinated only 18% of the total population.
“This disease is not going as people are talking about new variants. So, if you are not protected from the only one and there is outbreak of new variants that could be catastrophic for a small country like the Gambia.”
He reiterated that there is no escape or shortcuts. The only way to combat this deadly virus is to get vaccinated to stay safe.
Welcoming the gathering, Sanjally Trawally, deputy director of Health Promotion and Education at the Ministry, said that the vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective and thus called on people especially those who haven’t yet got the vaccines to get vaccinated.
He noted that it is important for people to get these vaccines as the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
“If vaccinated, the tendency of contracting the virus is minimal as compared to someone who hasn’t yet the jab. So, we want to minimise the number of people contracting the virus in the country.”
He made reference the low rate of hospitalization as a result of the effectiveness of the vaccines, further assuring that the vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective.
