Bhutan has proven it is possible to quickly and efficiently administer COVID-19 vaccines. The Himalayan kingdom says it has vaccinated an estimated 64% of its more than 735,000 residents.
Bhutan Nears 100% In Inoculated Eligible Adults
The kingdom of Bhutan is close to vaccinating all eligible adults, as the Ministry of Health said 93% of eligible adults have received a first jab.
As of April 8, more than 472,000 citizens aged between 18 and 104 have been vaccinated in fewer than two weeks.
Overall, Bhutan has inoculated around 64% of its 735,553 residents as of the first week of April, making it one of the few countries that has vaccinated more than half of its entire population.
Bhutan health minister Dechen Wangmo has urged other residents across the kingdom to get their COVID-19 shots to protect their families and communities.
Bhutan's Efficient Vaccine Rollout Campaign
While other large countries with stronger health systems and more vaccine stocks in hand continue to struggle in distributing and administering coronavirus vaccines, Bhutan seems to have managed its challenges well.
In comparison with other nations that started their vaccination programs earlier this year, Bhutan started its COVID-19 vaccine drive late in March only - which means the kingdom was able to vaccinate almost all of its entire eligible population in roughly two weeks.
Experts said that Bhutan's smaller population played a role in getting the shots distributed and administered faster.
On the other hand, citizen volunteers called "desuups" in the kingdom have become central in the vaccination campaign's triumphant run.
Ministry of Health secretary Dr. Pandup Tshering, said that Bhutan has adequate doses to cover its entire population and residents who will not be inoculated during the campaign period will still get their shots.
King Considering Vaccination?
Meanwhile, there have been concerns about the King of Bhutan and his family's vaccination choice and when His Majesty will get his first dose.
Wangmo, who has been regularly posting on Twitter to provide updates about the vaccination campaign and to encourage residents to follow through with their vaccine doses, addressed the issue last week.
Let us fulfill our sacred duty to our King, People and the Country. PLEASE come forward for CoVID vaccination. “No one is safe until everyone is safe” pic.twitter.com/dAleTI8zA1 — Dechen Wangmo (@DechenwangmoM) April 9, 2021
In a statement, Wangmo said the King "has shared thoughts about taking the vaccine only after every eligible person in the country received their shots safely."
Wangmo once again urged her countrymen to "fulfil our duty as responsible citizens and play our conscious part to complement the noble intention of our beloved King," adding that everyone should get vaccinated so the King can get inoculated too.
