Côte d’Ivoire Launches COVAX Vaccine Roll-Out to Combat COVID-19

Côte d’Ivoire began its COVID-19 vaccination campaign on March 1, 2021, alongside Ghana, marking the first COVAX vaccine administration in Africa. The campaign focuses on protecting healthcare workers, with 504,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca doses delivered. Effective logistics and trained personnel are in place to ensure seamless vaccine distribution and administration.

On March 1, 2021, Côte d’Ivoire, alongside Ghana, commenced its COVID-19 vaccination campaign aimed at safeguarding healthcare workers. This rollout marks the initial administration of the COVAX vaccine doses in Africa, with anticipations of receiving an additional 11 million doses within the week.

Richard K. Bell, the U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, emphasized the significance of this event for the global fight against COVID-19 during the launch at the Abidjan Parc des Sports. Patrick Achi, the Chief of Staff to the President, was among the first recipients of the vaccine, demonstrating its safety and effectiveness.

The logistics for vaccine distribution are well established in Côte d’Ivoire, mirroring procedures used for other vaccines like measles and yellow fever. Dr. Aka Desquith, the Head of Logistics, affirmed the readiness of the cold chain for the vaccines, which can be stored safely at temperatures between 2-8 degrees Celsius.

Preparations included training nearly 100 vaccinators on vaccine administration and public outreach to encourage vaccination uptake. Prof. Isaac Tiembre, the training lead, confirmed that the team is equipped and organized to handle community vaccinations effectively.

The cold chain infrastructure in Abidjan efficiently accommodates the 504,000 doses received from the COVAX program. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, are essential in the fight against the pandemic. Gavi has financed a fleet of refrigerated trucks to facilitate distribution across the Abidjan region.

Upon arrival, the vaccines were promptly transported to cold storage at the EPI warehouse. Effective on-the-ground logistics will ensure frontline health workers are prioritized in the vaccination drive. Salimatou Dia from RTI underscored the historical importance of this vaccine delivery for Côte d’Ivoire, expressing hope for an end to the pandemic that has significantly impacted daily life.

Côte d’Ivoire’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign represents a historic milestone as the first doses of the COVAX vaccines are administered in Africa. With rigorous preparations and an established cold chain logistics system, the country aims to protect healthcare workers and ensure a successful rollout. The collaboration with international partners like Gavi highlights the global commitment to combating COVID-19 and underscores the importance of vaccination in ending the pandemic.

Original Source: www.gavi.org