The Malagasy Minister of Health, Jean-Louis Rakotovao, on Monday kicked off the vaccination campaign against Covid-19, by receiving the first dose of the vaccine, at the HJRA hospital in Antananarivo, in front of the cameras .
It took several months for Madagascar to be convinced by the need to vaccinate its people. For a long time, President Andry Rajoelina has highlighted the virtues of Covid-Organics (CVO), a traditional remedy based on artemisia launched in his country in April 2020.
But the worrying increase in Covid cases (more than 39,000 cases currently) has finally prompted the authorities to change their strategy, turning to the Covax device for vaccines.
“We have the South African variant and this virus also has a peculiarity: it triggers more severe forms, hence the increase in deaths in Madagascar today. We had discussions with Malagasy scientists and then we decided to move towards vaccination, ”explained the Minister in charge of Health, as if to justify this change of course.
The country received a first stock of 250,000 doses of Covishield / AstraZeneca on Saturday May 8. Further deliveries are expected in the coming weeks. According to corroborating sources, the first stage of vaccination should reach 20% of the population.
The first categories concerned are health workers, law enforcement and people with diabetes. Elderly people with chronic diseases will then follow, before moving on to the general public. Vaccination remains voluntary and is free.
The authorities would like to point out that the treatment with Covid-Organics will be administered in parallel with the vaccination. Rakotovao said he takes the “CVO every day, and it helps with the vaccine.”
By OMA Newsletter N ° 264 of 11/05/2021
OMA, an NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
The enhancement of human potential
The promotion and consolidation of inter-African integration
Keywords: Covid-19, Vaccination, Jean-Louis Rakotovao
Country: Madagascar
Geographic position: East Africa
