Bhutan completed the second phase of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination on Monday. The country was able to vaccinate more than 90 per cent of the eligible population. And with the vaccination of the unreached population underway till the end of this month, the coverage is likely to increase. This, according to a statement from the UNICEF Bhutan, is a result of exemplary efforts by the government.
According to the statement, the vaccination drive in the country is “arguably the fastest vaccination campaign to be executed during a pandemic. The precision with which Bhutan conducted mass vaccination campaigns within a week is an extraordinary achievement.”
The statement also hails Bhutan’s effort in securing the vaccines, preparations for the vaccine rollouts and convincing the people of the advantage of getting vaccinated which enabled successful coverage of all target groups.
“Bhutan is now a beacon of hope for the region, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has upended lives and devastated families. The successes are testimony to Bhutan’s swift response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In such challenging times, the leadership of His Majesty The King, the blessings of His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the collective efforts of the Royal Government of Bhutan, local leaders, young people and development partners have been instrumental in Bhutan’s huge leap forward.
“UNICEF and partners are honoured to have assisted the Royal Government of Bhutan in strengthening the cold chain system to store the vaccines. We have also provided critical logistical and operational support in fast-tracking the shipment of vaccines and injection devices to Bhutan. This includes arranging a chartered flight from the US to transport the vaccines and ramping up other vaccine shipments through commercial flights. UNICEF’s expertise in securing and installing eight walk-in coolers and two ultra-cold chain fridges across the country while supporting risk communication and community engagement activities were catalytic in preparing for the rapid mass vaccination campaign.”
Bhutan’s successful vaccination drive is a powerful example of how the donations of vaccines, secured bilaterally and multilaterally, can help protect and save lives. Two weeks ago, Bhutan received 500,000 doses of Moderna vaccine through the COVAX facility, from the United States. Earlier this year, Bhutan also received 5,850 doses of Pfizer through COVAX. And from India, China and Denmark. And close to 200,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Bulgaria and Croatia landed in Paro today.
“As we celebrate the successes in Bhutan, we must not forget that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over – for Bhutan, for its neighbours in the region and for the world. Public health safety measures such as physical distancing, handwashing with soap and wearing masks are still important.
“Vaccines will help us end the COVID-19 pandemic, but only if everyone has access to them. According to WHO’s summary of the latest available official data, 4 million health workers in South Asia are still not fully vaccinated.
“We are thankful to the commitment of the United States Government and other countries in coming forth at a critical time. UNICEF urges well-supplied countries to continue to donate COVID-19 vaccines to COVAX, the international vaccine equity initiative, so that countries that are grappling with poor vaccination coverage and dangerous surges in infection rates can get the vaccines they so desperately need to save lives. Bhutan’s example also shows us that countries need greater funding in preparing for swift rollouts of vaccines and that preparatory efforts go a long way in reaching the remotest areas.
“With the pandemic raging in the region, the virus still spreading in many countries and producing new variants, and vaccine shortages, we are still at risk of more or prolonged school closures, more healthcare disruptions, and a greater economic fallout – all of which threaten the futures of families and children everywhere.
“As UNICEF continues to work with governments in ensuring the safety of the people and help societies build back better, to save lives and end the pandemic, the call to donate vaccines has never been more urgent.”
