Juba, South Sudan,
June 14th, 2021 — South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state governor, Sarah Cleto Rial, received her first COVID-19 vaccine yesterday at her office in state capital, Wau.
According to medical aide, the governor was injected with the AstraZeneca vaccine, one of the four COVID-19 vaccines that are mostly used in many countries to fight the global pandemic.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, Governor Rial said she is grateful to receive her first dose along with some of her senior state officials.
“I am pleased to have taken my first shot of the Covax (AstraZeneca) vaccine. With me were advisors from the government, members of national security and staff from my office”, Governor Rial stated on her official page.
The confirmed in her statement that the “sub-national COVID-19 vaccination campaign was launched on Tuesday, Jun 8th, 2021 in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal State.”
She hoped to be there to be the first to get vaccinated, however, her meetings and engagements with the National Minister of Public Service precluded her presence and she had to take it a few days late.
Governor Rial called on citizens to prioritize taking vaccines without negligence, believing that it is the only means to guarantee safety for all.
“I urge and encourage all persons eligible to get the vaccine”, we should take it seriously so that we can protect ourselves, our beloved ones and our community”, Rial added.
She said the World Health Organization (WHO) has assured them with great confidence that the vaccine has no side effects.
“The WHO assures us that the vaccine is safe and all agreed that the benefits outweigh the risks”, Governor Rial stressed and she further said together we will move beyond the Corona Virus and return to normal life.
Sarah Cleto Rial was appointed as governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal on 29,June 2021 following the Formation of the R-TGoNU.
She was appointed on the ticket of the SPLM IO and became the only female governor among the ten governors and three administrators that are leading the shaky transitional period.
