On 23 February 2021, Mongolia launched the COVID-19 vaccine rollout with around 150,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses to be administered to health workers who are at high risk. When more doses of COVID-19 vaccine are available, other priority groups, including frontline workers and older people, will be vaccinated.
Prime Minister L.Oyun-Erdene and Minister of Health S.Enkhbold were the ones to receive the first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in order to assure the public of its safety. These vaccines are donated by the Government of India support the country in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During press conference prior to the vaccine roll out, WHO Representative to Mongolia, Dr Sergey Diorditsa, said the rollout was an important milestone in controlling COVID-19, but he urged continued vigilance.
“Our World Health Organization team is delighted that Mongolia is starting to vaccinate health workers most exposed, in order to save lives and maintain health care capacity and essential health care services. Although vaccines alone will not end the pandemic, they will be an extremely important additional tool in strengthening the response to COVID-19 when used in combination with the other measures we know work.
“Mongolians will need to continue maintaining physical distance, hand hygiene, staying home when sick, avoiding crowded spaces – all the behaviours we have been promoting for the last year,” said Dr Diorditsa.
To support the rollout, in addition to technical and financial support to Mongolia in its preparation and readiness of vaccine deployment, the WHO Mongolia Country Office used social media to share information and advice on topics such as how vaccines are developed, how vaccines are tested, what is in vaccines, and how to protect health workers and frontline workers.
Mongolia is planning to vaccinate at least 60 percent of its population of 3.3 million against COVID-19.
Learn more about Mongolia’s response to the pandemic.
Learn more about how WHO is working with governments to facilitate equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.