The world’s nations are now carrying out the vaccination drive in their respective countries as they all wage war against the deadly pathogen much more strenuously than ever before. Medical scientists have also recently found a new virus mutation that could be more infectious than before.
The Union Government has led the national vaccination programme in Myanmar after establishing the COVAX National Coordination Committee (CNCC) and the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG).
The health ministry and NITAG professionals are working collaboratively to draft a detailed plan of the vaccination programme.
It is heartening news that Myanmar is planning to sign a purchase contract for the first batch of the vaccines from India. We all are happy to know that the priority group comprising medical professionals and medical personnel will get the first vaccine jabs in February. Undoubtedly, that’s a step by step process in line with ‘no one will be left behind’ policy.
Furthermore, we have a piece of encouraging news that our national vaccination drive will cover all citizens over 18. That’s 67.9 per cent of the whole Myanmar population. The programme duration will span two years — from 2021 to 2022. Led by the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we are confident that the health ministry will do its best to systematically manage the national vaccination programme in the country, with the consultations and wise suggestions from the World Health Organization, ‘Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance’, and the NITAG.
Our national task force against COVID also established a Fund Management Sub-Committee on the Purchase of COVID-19 Vaccines on 30 December 2020. It has recently opened both Foreign Currency and Myanmar Currency accounts, namely the COVID-19 Vaccination Fund at the Myanma Economic Bank in Nay Pyi Taw. We are encouraged to hear that well-wishers are beginning to donate towards the Fund. The Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry has also issued the Fund-related announcements that are published in the daily newspapers both in the Myanmar and English languages.
Here, we wish to quote the State Counsellor who said: “During the period when the vaccines are still not available, I wish to appeal to the people to abide by the health rules and regulations and give support to our efforts to beat COVID-19.”
Thus, vaccines are on the way. However, we need to be both much more vigilant and patient than ever in the meantime. Anyway, let’s wash our hands frequently; let’s distance ourselves socially; let’s wear masks whenever going outside; let’s protect ourselves while protecting others.
