KABUL (SW) – The nationwide coronavirus vaccination drive began on Tuesday exactly a year after the first case of the novel virus was confirmed in Afghanistan.
At a ceremony to mark the launch, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani thanked the frontline health workers and security forces. He said the delivery of vaccines to the security forces indicate the government’s high regard for the members of the security and defense forces.
President Ghani was flanked by the First Lady Rula Ghani, both vice presidents, speakers of the both houses of the parliament and other top officials.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said: “I congratulate the Afghan nation for the beginning of the administration of the first phase of 500,000 doses of the vaccine. This is a great opportunity and test for the Ministry of Public Health and the whole nation”.
He added the government was striving to ensure vaccination for at least 40 per cent of the population in the second phase.
Meanwhile, interim health minister Waheed Majroh said on his term that Afghanistan has successfully managed to overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
Afghanistan on Feb. 7 received 500,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s vaccine from India, locally known as Covishield. It is being produced by the Serum Institute for mid- and low-income countries.
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