ANKARA
New Zealand announced on Thursday that the country has received two additional COVID-19 vaccines that are now enough for the country’s 5.36 million population.
In a statement, the country’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her government would buy COVID-19 vaccines from pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and Novavax, meaning all New Zealand will receive the vaccine.
“We now have agreements with four providers, covering three different types of vaccine technology and we have received more than enough doses for our entire population as well as the Minch,” said Jacinda Ardern.
The new agreements will secure access to 7.6 million doses from AstraZeneca – enough for 3.8 million people, and 10.72 million doses from Novavax – enough for 5.36 million people. Both vaccines require two doses.
“Many types of vaccine technology have been used to develop COVID-19 vaccines. Our strategy is to purchase different types of technology, to ensure that some of them are found in development or in tests without be a successful choice, we will make there are other options available, “Ardern said.
She noted that this is the largest vaccine distribution in New Zealand that will be provided free of charge.
According to the main stage, in the first phase, which is expected to start in the second quarter of 2021, border workers and essential workers will receive the vaccine.
After border workers and essential workers, the public will receive vaccines, which are expected in the second half of the year.
“We are moving as fast as we can, but we also want to make sure the vaccine is safe for New Zealand,” the chief executive said.
However, she did not explain the level of budget allocated for vaccinations.
New Zealand is leading the global fight against COVID-19 without any hindrance to normal domestic industrial activity as the diseases have recently been subdued to very low numbers.
The island nation has reported a total of 2,100 diseases, including 25 deaths, since the first case of the disease was reported in New Zaealand on February 28 this year.
The last community outbreak in the country was reported on November 18, according to Ministry of Health data.
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