Seychelles participates in high-level thematic debate: ‘Galvanising Momentum for Universal Vaccination’ |28 February 2022

Health Minister Peggy Vidot

‘Seychelles’ Covid-19 vaccination story attests to its small population’

“Small island states like Seychelles, with smaller populations, smaller land masses and smaller agglomeration of negative factors than bigger countries find it easier to vaccinate large portions of their populations rapidly. Seychelles’ vaccination story before and during the pandemic attests to this fact with over 80% of the population now having been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Creative leadership is important.”

Health Minister Peggy Vidot said this in a message delivered virtually on behalf of President Wavel Ramkalawan at the 76th session of the high-level thematic debate entitled: ‘Galvanising Momentum for Universal Vaccination’, which was held on Friday at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States of America.

The high-level roundtable discussion saw the participation of member states and in her pre-recorded video message, Minister Vidot underlined the need for equal access to Covid-19 vaccinations. She also highlighted the challenges and impact of misinformation and assault on science as well as public health.

The minister underscored the milestone that Seychelles has made as a small island developing state in vaccinating its population as well as the strategy implemented under the leadership of President Ramkalawan.

“Small island states like Seychelles, with smaller populations, smaller land masses and smaller agglomeration of negative factors than bigger countries find it easier to vaccinate large portions of their populations rapidly. Seychelles’ vaccination story before and during the pandemic attests to this fact with over 80% of the population now having been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Creative leadership is important.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, President Ramkalawan created a special fund for Covid-19 vaccination and invited individuals and companies to contribute generously to that fund. It worked for my country. Many were those who contributed in cash and in-kind. Perhaps a permanent solidarity fund for all vaccine-related strategies at all times could also work for other countries. It needs to be explored,” said Minister Vidot.

The minister concluded by stressing the need for political leadership which she noted “can convene the forces of goodwill and galvanise national support to provide resources not only for vaccination procurement, storage, and distribution but also for the intense, sustained advocacy needed to counteract misinformation nationally.”

The high-level meeting noted that in the efforts to provide Covid-19 vaccinations, it has been uneven, unfair, and unbalanced. In the least developed countries, 5 percent of people have been vaccinated compared to more than 70 percent in high-income countries. Participants underscored the need for everyone globally to have access to vaccines.

Press release from the Office of the President