Image source,AFP
Bhutan, with a population of 800,000, mobilized more than 3,500 people for vaccination.
Bhutan, located high in the Himalayas between India and China, is gradually vaccinating all eligible adults with the new crown vaccine.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) praised the country’s vaccine promotion as a “great success story”.
Bhutan has a population of 800,000. According to the Ministry of Health of Bhutan, more than 90% of adults have been vaccinated in just seven days.
So how does this alpine country complete this work quickly and efficiently?
Difficult terrain
Dr. Sonam Wangchuk, a member of the Bhutan Vaccination Working Group, said: “We have difficulties in geography, but because of our detailed plan, we can cover the first and second shots within a week. Rate.”
Image source,AFP
People outside an inoculation site in Thimphu, the capital, lined up to register for the injection.
Wangchuck told the BBC: “The vaccination rate for the first shot is almost 99%, and the second shot vaccination rate for eligible population exceeds 92%.”
The adult population of Bhutan is estimated to be approximately 530,000. Many of them live in remote mountainous areas without road connections. In some areas, health workers have to travel for several hours to reach mountain villages.
Dr. Wangchuck said that 1,220 vaccination stations have been set up, covering most areas of Bhutan, and more than 3,500 vaccinators have been deployed to promote vaccines.
The landlocked country received 550,000 doses of vaccine from India at the end of March. After the infrastructure was in place, most adults completed the vaccination within a week of April.
Global vaccination progress
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Vaccine donation
However, India suspended all vaccine exports after the second deadly epidemic broke out.
Bhutan has to find other channels to meet its demand for additional doses. Surplus vaccines in wealthy countries can help at this time.
Image source,EPA
Some vaccination workers have to hike and climb mountains for several hours to reach certain villages.
Dr. Wangchuck said: “We have received 500,000 doses of Modona vaccine from the United States and more than 250,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from European countries.”
Then Bhutan launched a second vaccination promotion campaign on July 20.
UNICEF has been emphasizing Bhutan’s achievements as a model worthy of emulation, calling on countries around the world to donate its surplus vaccines to those in need.
Bhutan representative of UNICEF Will Parks (Will Parks) said there is one thing worth learning.
“If I want the world to learn anything, it is that a country like Bhutan has very few doctors and nurses, but there is a truly determined king and a government leader who mobilizes society. It is not unreasonable to vaccinate the entire country. possible.”
Bhutan adopts a mixed and matched vaccination method. Almost all people get the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, but most people get Modona vaccine with the second dose.
Trust in government
Image source,AFP
UN officials called on developed countries to continue to share surplus vaccines with developing countries.
Bhutan has only more than 2500 confirmed cases and two deaths. Bhutanese officials said that they have a good track record in launching a regular vaccination program, and that hesitation about the new crown vaccine is not a problem.
“People have confidence in and trust in the government.” Dr. Wangchuck explained.