Thread by @WHO

LIVE with @DrTedros at the arrival of the first batch of #COVID19 vaccines via COVAX to #Colombia

"I join you in celebrating the 1st delivery of vaccines to 🇨🇴, the 1st country in the Americas to receive vaccines through #COVAX. I congratulate our COVAX partners @gavi, @CEPIvaccines & my colleagues in @pahowho, @OPSOMS_Col for hard work in bringing us to this point"-@DrTedros

"This has been made possible because of the hard work you have done to get ready for #COVID19 vaccine rollout, with a national plan for vaccination"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1366457784557047809?s=20

"I would like to recognize the leadership of President @IvanDuque in the response to #COVID19 domestically, and of the successful PROSUR meeting of Presidents last week"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity #ACTogether

"#Colombia is the 3rd country globally to receive vaccines through COVAX, after Ghana & Côte d’Ivoire.

Between now & the end of May, 237 million doses of #COVID19 vaccines will be allocated to 142 participating economies & countries in COVAX"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity #ACTogether

"We have made progress, but this is just the beginning of what COVAX was set up to achieve. We still have a lot of work to do to realize our vision of starting #COVID19 vaccination in all countries within the first 100 days of this year. We have just 40 days left"-@DrTedros

"Equitable access to #COVID19 vaccines is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.

The more the virus circulates, the more opportunity it has to mutate in ways that can make vaccines less effective"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity #ACTogether

"In time there will be enough #COVID19 vaccine for everyone, but initially vaccines are a limited resource that we must use effectively.

#HealthWorkers and older people must come first"-@DrTedros #VaccinEquity #ACTogether

"And even as #COVID19 vaccines continue to roll out, we urge all governments and individuals to remember that vaccines alone will not keep you safe.

Vaccines will help to save lives, but if countries rely solely on vaccines, they’re making a mistake"-@DrTedros

"Basic public health measures remain the foundation of the response.

For health authorities that means:
Testing
Contact tracing
Isolation
Supported quarantine
Quality care

For individuals it means:
Avoiding crowds
Physical distancing
Hand hygiene
Masks
Ventilation"-@DrTedros

"This is a day for celebration, but it’s far too early to declare victory. We still have a lot of work to do to bring the #COVID19 pandemic under control, restore confidence and reboot the global economy"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"I give you my commitment that WHO and @pahowho remain completely committed to supporting #Colombia, not just to end the #COVID19 pandemic, but to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for your beautiful country"-@DrTedros