The Netherlands will send 160,000 vaccines to Suriname next week. This was announced by Dutch Minister of Public Health Hugo de Jong (Public Health) on Sunday.
These are doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The task is carried out at the request of his minister, Ammar Ramadan.
The situation in Suriname is serious: the pressure on hospitals is high and the need for vaccinations among the population is great. Earlier this month, the Netherlands sent 90,000 vaccines, oxygen containers, respirators, personal protective equipment and a medical team to Suriname. This is all part of a comprehensive support package to help in the acute battle against the coronavirus.
A second shipment of 60,000 vaccines will be shipped from AstraZeneca on Wednesday, June 23. Another 100,000 doses will follow on Sunday, June 27. Since Suriname is currently injecting the AstraZeneca vaccine, upcoming deliveries can immediately be entered into the current vaccination programme. The donation will not delay the Dutch vaccination programme.
Minister De Jonge (VWS) has promised to eventually donate 500,000 to 750,000 vaccines to Suriname, depending on the supplies to the Netherlands and the need in Suriname.
