Some people in hard to reach areas in Xieng Khuang province are yet to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as no accessible roads have been developed. Access to them is more difficult during this time of rainy season.
Despite of difficulties, local authorities are currently speeding up Covid-19 vaccination efforts to have at least 80% of population in the northern province vaccinated with at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine, 70% given at least two doses and 30% plus administered with a booster dose.
Between Aug 7 -13, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), with support from UNICEF, organised a visit for a team of journalists to Xieng Khuang to observe and promote COVID-19 vaccination efforts, especially those in Khoun, Nonghed and Kham districts.
The visiting journalists were briefed by health and relevant authorities about challenges and difficulties they are facing in fulfilling Covid-19 vaccination targets.
“This is my third dose of Covid vaccine already,” Chong Song, a 34-year-old resident of a remote village told the media.
Mr Chong said he did not experience any side-effects with his first two doses and was very enthusiastic to get his third shot. “Most people in my village are famers. Our village is quite far from the municipal centre so people in my village find it very difficult to come receiving Covid-19 vaccine.”
“I have been informed by the health centre and our village head that I no need to go to the city to get the vaccine. I don’t know about the benefits of vaccination and my house is far from the city. I saw many people get vaccinated, so why not me. I believe that it will protect me from COVID-19. Now, I am very happy that I have been vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Ms Keomany Wang, a villager of Samyoung, Khoun district, Xieng Khuang.
Grandma Kiayang Yong, 68, from Samyoung village, Khoun district, received her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine from the Khoun Mobile Clinic team just early this month.
She was grateful to the outreach vaccination service provided by the Mobile Clinic team. She said, “I am happy that health workers have delivered vaccines to my village, otherwise, I would not be able to receive it as my village is very far from the district hospital.”
International partners to the Lao PDR’s COVID-19 response, including UNICEF, have consistently provided support in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines since early 2021 through the COVAX Facility, a partnership co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF as well as the World Bank, civil society organisations, manufacturers, and others stakeholders.
Source: Lao News Agency