National Assembly member for Upper Saloum constituency has joined the Ministry of Health in calling on the public to get their coronavirus jab amid growing concerns around the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. 

Alhagie Mbowe is the first member of National Assembly to receive the coronavirus vaccine. 

“I have just taken my jab this morning and I encourage everyone to do so when you have the opportunity. Covid is real and we have to fight it on all fronts,” Alhagie Mbowe said in a statement to his constituents after receiving his jab.

The Gambia has received 36,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca through the World Health Organisation COVAX initiative for equitable global access to Covid-19 vaccines. 

President Adama Barrow and his cabinet had their jab earlier this month on live television as part of a growing effort to convince the public that the vaccines are safe.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba