With the reopening of the borders, the new global interest in third dose and booster shot trend and the receipt of 500,000 doses from Sinopharm in the Republic of China, a new national immunization campaign will begin this Thursday 23rd September. The schedule is already published. AstraZeneca/ Covishield and Covaxin inoculated people will not be an exception to this new step. And likewise, any person in breach of the law will be fined no less than Rs 2000.
Third dose this Thursday 23 September
The National Communication Committee was animated by senior officials, including Health Minister Kailesh Jagutpal, DCP Jugroo and ENT Hospital Superintendent Dr Sokappadoo.The importance of vaccination being the point of the press conference, the Minister of Health announced the third dose opening this Thursday and has revealed that it is not a question of mandatory vaccine but that the scheme that Mauritius is following is identical to the Israeli and Chinese schemes.
The third dose is certainly not mandatory but recommended. He also made it clear that the emergency concerns the most fragile citizens, including the elderly and people with conditions. Therefore, apart from continuity, the third dose will also serve as a ‘Booster Shot’ for all those whose second dose is already 4 months old. “There will be no appointment or alphabetical order. The concerned person will have to go to his vaccination center accompanied by an identity document and his vaccination card” said Minister Jagutpal.
AstraZeneca/ Covishield and Covaxin inoculations also concerned
He also explained that the aim of this campaign will be to strengthen the immune system of the population. As for those who have received two doses of Covaxin and Covishield, the Vaccination Committee and the High Powered-Committee are studying the issue of a possible vaccine mix. “The third dose for them is on the agenda. They’re figuring out which vaccine will work better with the initial vaccine. An announcement will be made in the coming weeks,” he said.
Pfizer injection next week
The Covax Facility is expected to deliver Pfizer’s shipment of 76,000 doses by next week. “This shipment is reserved for the two doses of young people under 18 years,” recalled the minister. He explained that the staff is already trained and as well as the provisions for storage at proper temperature when transporting the vaccine from colleges to colleges. “Between the first and second doses, there will be an interval of two to three weeks,” said the Minister.
14,000 penalties for not wearing a mask and more!
14,000 penalties have been served since the beginning of the pandemic for not wearing a mask. And, the tickets will still be issued to all those who break the law. “Since the implementation of the Fixed Penalty Notice, on August 5th, we have served 1700 fines of Rs 2000 for not wearing a mask. Many continue to flout the law, gatherings of more than 50 people are still taking place despite the ban as per the protocol. The police will not stop cracking down” warned DCP Jugroo. He took the opportunity to reveal that the police force is in line with the ambitions of the government by announcing “94.4% of the police force is already vaccinated. We expect to reach 100% as soon as possible.”
ENT News
The passage of Dr. Sok Appadu, superintendent assigned to the Ministry of Health was brief but precise. “Since the beginning of September, 147 patients have been allowed to return home after their treatment at ENT Hospital. Currently, 36 patients are admitted. Three are under artificial respiration and others are admitted to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and are supplied with oxygen according to their condition,” he announced. As for the deaths, 74 of which 56 were directly attributed to Covid 19, he said that most were not vaccinated. “About 5 or 6 victims were fully vaccinated,” added the minister.
7 deaths on Tuesday
We could have rejoiced! This Tuesday, the Ministry of Health has 68 cases, 64 of them asymptomatic and 4 admissions to ENT Hospital. As announced by the minister Jagutpal, “we have administered 1,675,609 doses of vaccine to the population” and to date, 846,158 are primo vaccinated or 67% and 787,794 have received the two doses, which represents 62% of the population. But in the evening, the communiqué of the Ministry of Health announces 7 deaths at the ENT Hospital with the main reason being the virus of Covid 19.
