Good morning.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me a great pleasure to welcome all of you for the handing over of the COVID-19 Jenssen (Johnson and Johnson) Vaccine to the African Union Commission from the Africa CDC.

There is no doubt that with the authorization of the emergency use of various vaccines, we are gradually getting out of the tunnel and thus to meet the challenges arising from this COVID-19 pandemic.

The African Union Vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena” cannot be achieved without a healthy population.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,  

Permit me to congratulate the AU Commission for putting our forces together in combating this pandemic.

It should be recalled that H.E. The Deputy Chairperson on her capacity managed to secure thousands of doses of Astra Zeneca of which, for the first time (7/May 2021) we started to vaccinate our two communities. As of today 1,500 individuals have been vaccinated. Last month we received a donation of 15,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine a generosity donation from PRC.

Today, we are lucky to receive 12,000 Doses of J and J from Africa CDC and thus creating a wide choice of vaccines to our community we serve.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our community has no reason of not to vaccinate. Over time we will overcome this pandemic and go back to our normal working environment. Breaking the transmission chain of COVID-19 virus starts with you. 

Without taking much of your time may I welcome Dr. John Nkengasong, The Director of Africa CDC for his remarks.

I thank you all for your kind attention.