First National Vaccination Conference kicks off in Jordan

The first National Vaccination Conference, organised by the Health Ministry and stakeholders, commenced on Saturday under the title "Bridging the Gaps".

Secretary General of the Health Ministry for Epidemics and Communicable Diseases Raed Shboul, who deputised for Health Minister Feras Al Hawari, said that inoculation is a top priority at this time and is highly important across the world, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Shboul said that the National Vaccination Programme has realised several achievements, where vaccines have proven their ability to limit the spread of epidemics and reduce admission to hospitals and ICUs.

He also referred to the national vaccination programme, which provides free-of-charge vaccines for children of the Kingdom’s residents regardless of their nationalities or financial capacities. This has positively reflected on the health of children and reduced fatalities among them, he said.

The secretary general noted that the ministry seeks to develop and expand the National Vaccination Programme through increasing the vaccination turnout.

Adel Bilbeissi, the conference head, the Prime Ministry’s advisor for health affairs and the official responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic affairs, said that the National Vaccination Programme is among the most important preliminary health programmes nationwide. Bilbeissi added that the ministry attaches great importance to its role to reduce diseases and death rates among children.

Bilbeissi noted that Jordan has made important steps in the national vaccination campaign against COVID-19, which required the Health Ministry and strategic partners to intensify inoculation efforts and encourage all to receive vaccines.