Covid-19 update |20 July 2021
Pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers, 60 years olds and over can now take Sinopharm vaccine
Seychelles has approved the use of the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm vaccine on pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers and people over 60 years old.
The Ministry of Health observed that this new decision was taken following new research which has shown that the Sinopharm vaccine can be safely taken by these demographics to stave off Covid-19.
Pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers have however been cautioned to first consult with their doctors before taking the vaccine.
The announcement came from the Ministry of Health’s policy analyst, Dr Sanjeev Pugazhendhi, in a press interview yesterday.
Dr Sanjeev said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reviewed various researches in regards to the Sinopharm vaccine and, in June 2021, concluded that Sinopharm can also be given to those aged 60 years and over.
“This an indication that we have adopted as of this month, July, that we will allow those over 60 years, so we are encouraging everyone aged 18 years and above to take their Sinopharm jab if they have not taken any vaccine yet,” added Dr Sanjeev.
The Ministry of Health has received a new batch of 50,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine which are ready to be administered.
“Research on pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers is not as exhaustive as other demographics but based on the evidence available, the WHO has permitted the use of Sinopharm vaccine on pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers, but only after an assessment of the risks and benefits to the person in question. For instance, if you are a breastfeeding mother who has diabetes or obese, your risks increases with Covid-19 and hence you are deemed to benefit exponentially more than those who do not have these underlying conditions,” explained Dr Sanjeev.
Meanwhile, the health ministry’s latest update yesterday records five additional Covid-19 related deaths, bringing the total number to 86.
The update notes that all five persons who have recently passed away were aged between 71 and 94 years old, all with underlying medical conditions.
On the other hand, the number of active cases is declining as the Ministry of Health reports of 641 active cases; 579 on Mahé, 54 on Praslin and 8 on La Digue.
While the downward trend continues gradually, the level of community transmission is yet to reach the pre-surge level.
The country has recorded a cumulative total of 17,541 Covid-19 cases since the pandemic reached its shores, of which 16,814 have recovered.
Elsie Pointe