THE COVAX National Coordinating Committee under the Ministry of Health and Sports held its first meeting via videoconferencing yesterday.

During the meeting, Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe discussed the systematic immunization plan for the target priority groups when the COVID-19 vaccine is available, formation of COVAX National Coordinating Committee (CNCC), COVAX National Technical Working Group (CTWG) and National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), efforts of Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance to access the vaccine at low price or free via COVAX Facility for 20 per cent of the country’s population, negotiations with Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance and WHO to receive vaccine Myanmar, the duties of public to follow the health rules, procurement of vaccine with the government’s budget, cash assistance of Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance and World Bank loan, plans to allow private hospitals and clinics for vaccination, cooperation works with Ministry of Home Affairs and Customs Department to prevent from receiving substandard vaccine, programmes to use only the vaccine recognized by WHO and FDA, plans to ban other vaccine without any guarantee for quality, advices of NITAG regarding Adverse event following immunization (AEFI), transport system, effectiveness, numbers of vaccination and immune response.

He also talked about the arrangement for ultra-cold storage as some of the vaccines are needed to be kept at minus 70 degrees C, the experience of ministry in immunization campaign especially in the expanded programme on immunization, first priority groups depending on the age and regions where have high infection rate, message to the Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance to send the vaccine no later than 7 December of this year and the importance of cooperation works for this process.

Then, the health officials including Deputy Minister Dr Mya Lay Sein, Permanent Secretary Prof Dr Thet Khaing Win and NITAG Chairman Dr Soe Lwin Nyein respectively briefed the plans and arrangement regarding the procurement of vaccine, ultra-cold storage system, digital system and target groups for vaccination and role of media for information.

The Union Minister concluded the meeting after saying the importance of information, communication and digitalization for all health plans, vaccine-related diploma courses and online capacity building classes.

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

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