S. Sudan’s only female governor takes lead against colleagues in receiving COVID-19 vaccine

 

JUBA – South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal governor, Sarah Cleto Rial, has announced that she has received her first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, becoming the first – among other governors – to be vaccinated against the killer virus.

Hassan who is the only female governor received the AstraZenica vaccine dose in the country’s capital Juba where she is engaging ministry of labour and public service on employment matters, according to a statement she issued following her vaccination.

“I am pleased to have taken my first shot of the Covax (Astra Zeneca) vaccine. With me were advisors from the government, members of national security and staff from my office,” she said in a statement on Facebook.

Coronavirus vaccine began last week in Wau and Hassan is saying she hoped to be on the grounds to provide leadership as many citizens are skeptical of the vaccine’s effectiveness amid continued spread of conspiracy theories about the vaccine that includes cause of infertility.

“The sub-national COVID-19 vaccination campaign was launched on Tuesday June 8^th, 2021 in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal State. I hoped to be there to be the first to get vaccinated however, due to my meeting engagement with the National Minister of Public Service hindered my presence,” she added.

The senior government official who also pointed to assurance by the World Health Organization as well as leading scientists urged the citizens to join the vaccination process which she said is crucial in return to normalcy.

“I urge and encourage all persons eligible to get the vaccine. We should take it seriously so that we can protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community,” she said.

“The WHO assures us that the vaccine is safe and all agreed that the benefits outweigh the risks. Together we will move beyond the Corona Virus and return to normal life,” she added.