Chongwe Municipal Council, in conjunction with the District Health Office has re-launched the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Chongwe District.
This is in order to reaffirm Government’s commitment in the fight against COVID-19 amidst several perceptions and myths attached to the vaccine.
Chongwe District is one of the districts that has been negatively affected by the pandemic, having recorded 2,093 cases to date with 3 active cases, 1,929 recoveries and 33 cumulative deaths.
To this effect, the District has intensified targeted active case surveillance in the community through respective health facilities with support from various stakeholders.
Chongwe District has so far only managed to vaccinate 12% of the eligible population.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise, therefore, is to vaccinate at least 70% of the eligible population in order to achieve sufficient immunity for the entire population.
Speaking during the event, Chongwe Mayor Christopher Habeenzu said the current vaccination status is worrying as the country prepares for the upcoming fourth wave.
Mr. Habeenzu said the re-launch is a much needed initiative that will be beneficial to many people by minimizing the severity of the virus.
He explained that vaccinating the people will lessen the chain of spreading the virus, thereby reducing its mutation as people play their part to protect others.
The Mayor urged healthcare workers and public health experts to continue educating the general public in order to help build trust in the vaccinations.
“Without these vaccines, the District will not be able to overcome the covid 19 pandemic” he said.
He further encouraged the political, civic, religious and traditional leaders as well as public and private sectors to fully take responsibility in ensuring that Chongwe residents are vaccinated.
Mr. Habeenzu thanked the Ministry of Health, the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (also known as COVAX), the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) and several donations from bilateral and muti-lateral partners for ensuring that the availability of vaccines is guaranteed.