Vaccinating the population against COVID-19 is a key part of the government’s strategy to curb spread of the fast spreading virus which has so far killed 16 people and infected over 6,900 people since March 2020.

“The citizen’sroles arevery important as the story has indicated…so therefore we are expecting the citizen’s contribution to the current difficult situation we face,” Ruak told National Parliament.

Ruak said people not getting their second AstraZeneca vaccination was also a concern, adding the country would only be safe to loosen movement restrictions when most people were vaccinated.

Timor-Leste, which is using donated vaccines by AstraZeneca, says 28,669 people have received a jab so far.

The head of Khunto party, Luis Roberto da Silva, responded to the Prime Minister’s vaccine plea, insisting the party would support the country’s COVID-19 immunisation drive.

Meanwhile, Virginia Ana Belo, Member of Parliament from the opposition National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) party, criticised the government’s COVID-19 vaccine supply strategy, saying waiting on donated AstraZeneca jabs and the COVAX program was not good enough.

Belo said the government should also buy vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna Inc.

Belo said concerns around blood clotting with the AstraZeneca vaccine should be considered.

She added that it was vital people had clear information about possible  vaccine side effects and instructions on what to do if they become ill after vaccination.