The vaccine is being brought to the ends of the world

In areas not accessible by car, people have to resort to sleighs, drones, or even elephants, horses, and camels to deliver vaccines.

Around the world, distribution teams work hard to get the Covid-19 vaccine to the most remote locations. In areas not accessible by car, people have to resort to sleighs, drones, or even elephants, horses, and camels to deliver vaccines. “The effort to bring vaccines to every country in the world right now is unprecedented,” said Robin Nandy, UNICEF’s head of immunization. In the photo, the vaccine on the ship brought to Great Cranberry Island, Northeastern United States. Photo: AP.

Immunization plans are in disarray in many areas, many people still waiting for their turn to receive vaccines. In the most remote, inaccessible places, a time-race effort to deliver vaccines is underway. These are places, whether the virus has invaded or not, are not equipped with adequate medical equipment to respond in the event of a pandemic outbreak. Photo: AP.

In the icy plains of southern Alaska, the Yukon-Kuskokwim medical organization distribution team used sleighs to deliver vaccines to dozens of villages in the most remote, remote areas. Vaccine delivery efforts kicked off in December 2020, when temperatures ranged from -30 to -20 degrees Celsius, putting the vaccine at risk of freezing inside the needle. In the photo, the vaccine is taken to the village of Napakiak, Alaska. Photo: AP.

“People here are desperately waiting to get vaccinated. It’s thrilling to be able to do something for them, keep them safe,” said Dr. Ellen Hodges, head of the vaccine distribution team. To date, Yukon-Kuskokwim has helped distribute thousands of doses of vaccine to 47 villages in southern Alaska. In the photo, a resident of Great Cranberry Island, is vaccinated. Photo: AP.

In the most remote areas of the Indian state of Assam, the vaccine is delivered to the vaccination site by very rudimentary means. Bahakajari village has 9,000 people waiting to receive the vaccine. To get the vaccine here, the medical teams had to row a boat, and then walk. In the photo, people in Bahakajari take a boat to the vaccination site. Photo: AP.

In Brazil, remote Amazon communities face a huge logistical challenge, traveling by boat for hours to the vaccination sites. For them, access to vaccines is extremely important, because most communities have only minimal medical facilities, and are unable to effectively treat advanced Covid-19 cases. In the photo, the vaccine is transported by small ship in the Amazon. Photo: AP.

As in many other parts of the world, health workers in Brazil face the challenge of convincing people to overcome skepticism, believe in vaccine safety and accept vaccinations. “Vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue, so it is extremely important to have adequate information available to all walks of life,” said a spokesman for the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI). In the photo, a person in the Amazon is vaccinated. Photo: AP.

On islands off the northeast of the United States, going inland was once the best option for vaccination. Each trip usually takes one day of travel. The harsh winter weather made the situation worse, as it prevented sea-going vehicles from going out to sea for days. The lack of early access to vaccines makes people even more isolated because they cannot leave their homes. Photo: AP.

When teams of volunteers sent vaccines to remote islands, the people here seemed to be rescued. Vaccine provides an opportunity to help people restore a normal life. “We are very excited. This vaccine helps relieve the isolation we have suffered for so long,” said Lindsay Eysnogle, a teacher on Islesford Island, Maine. In the photo, people on Islesford Island celebrate when they receive the vaccine. Photo: AP.