Seychelles is the first African country to start a national vaccination campaign.
Seychelles has launched its national COVID-19 immunisation programme. The country aims to be the first country in the world to vaccinate 70% of its adult population and achieve herd immunity.
President of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, has been given the SinoPharm COVID-19 vaccine, making him the first African Head of State to take the vaccine.
President Ramkalawn commented: "With such a robust vaccination campaign, Seychelles aims to be the first country in the world to vaccinate at least 70% of its over 18 population. From there we will be able to declare Seychelles as COVID safe."
The campaign launch hosted around 100 people including leaders, health workers and media personalities who all received the first shot of the vaccine, showing their support for the country's immunisation efforts.
Key groups will continue to receive the vaccine, beginning with healthcare workers and other front-line groups - including tourism industry operators. 100,000 doses of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine are set to arrive at the end of January.
Minister for foreign affairs and tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, added: "The COVID-19 immunization campaign is an important milestone for the restart of our tourism industry as the country balances its efforts to maintain its tourism activities and protect its population from further spread of the virus. The world has not come to a standstill and there are people who are still keen to travel. We need to rebuild our industry for our economic prosperity depends on it."
