– Mauritius continues its national vaccination campaign with COVAXIN, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research, and today, 6 942 persons were successfully vaccinated with it, announced the President of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Committee, Dr Zouberr Joomaye.

-He was speaking, this evening, at the daily press briefing of the National Communication Committee on COVID-19, at the Treasury Building in Port Louis. The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Jagutpal, was also present.

-It is recalled that the Indian High-Commissioner, Mrs Nandini Singla, as well as the spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs Kobita Jugnauth, were among the first persons today to receive the COVAXIN vaccine at the Pandit Sahadeo Gymnasium in Vacoas. Athletes, artists and influencers were also inoculated with this vaccine in other centres.

-With regard to the approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the COVAXIN vaccine, he pointed out that many countries have already started the vaccination programme with same, or with other vaccines, while awaiting approval as the process takes time. Even for the AstraZeneca vaccine, WHO gave its approval several days after the vaccination campaign started in Mauritius.

-Government is doing its best to procure sufficient vaccine doses so as to reach herd immunity at the earliest. Negotiations are ongoing with laboratories from India as well as other countries.

-Dr Joomaye also made a recap on how the vaccination campaign kicked-off locally and dwelt on its ongoing process. He nonetheless reminded that all sanitary and precautionary measures must still be observed thoroughly. He further made an appeal to Mauritian students in other countries to get vaccinated if they intend to travel.

Local actives cases reach 202

-For his part, Dr Jagutpal underlined that 644 PCR tests have been done today, and revealed four positive cases. Three cases were identified among the medical staff from a treatment centre and one following the contact tracing exercise.

-As at date, the positive cases have been identified as follows: 162 cases through the contact tracing exercise and COVID-19 testing centres; 31 in quarantine centres; and nine through random testing.

-He also reminded that confinement as well as sanitary and safety measures are still the most efficient ways to fight the propagation of the virus.

Source: Government Information Service

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