The US Embassy in Banjul has urged Gambians to get the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. 

The embassy’s plea comes after an additional 151,000 doses of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine was donated to The Gambia.

The donation was made by the United States government as part of the global COVAX vaccine programme aimed at helping lower-income countries obtain the shots. 

The US embassy in a statement stressed that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is safe and prevents hospitalisation and death from Covid-19.

“We urge all Gambians over the age of 18 to receive the vaccine as soon as they can.

“This donation would not have been possible without the work of our tremendous partners – the Office of The President, the Ministry of Health, the African Union, Gavi/COVAX, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the European Union. 

“We will continue to share as many safe and effective vaccines with as many people around the world as fast as possible until Covid-19 is defeated.”