Somalia’s Ministry of Health has assured members of the public of the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
On March 20, the ministry issued a press release informing Somalis that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for all.
“Somalia has a rich history of implementing successful vaccination programs,” the ministry’s statement read.
There have been concerns over the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
European countries such as Spain, France, Germany, and Italy temporarily suspended the use of the vaccine.
This followed claims that it was responsible for causing blood clotting.
Somalia received 300,000 doses of the vaccine on March 15 and announced that it would prioritize the inoculation of frontline workers in healthcare and security.
In the letter published on Saturday, the health ministry encouraged members of the public to turn up in large numbers at the appropriate time for vaccination.
Meanwhile, it also advised the public to continue adhering to the recommendations designed to curb the spread of the deadly disease.