By CHARLES TEMBO
Health Minister Jonas Chanda has reiterated that the Astrazeneca vaccination is not mandatory.
Dr Chanda said Government has resolved that the vaccination will be in a cautious manner.
He said people will make their own decisions to be vaccinated.
He said there is no mandatory vaccination.
Dr Chanda said this during the COVID-19 vaccination Copperbelt Provincial launch at Ndola Teaching Hospital.
“We are here to make sure that the people of the Copperbelt access this safe vaccine. All the ten provincial towns have the vaccine. We can now begin the official role out of the vaccine in the country. The vaccine has now reached all the provincial centers in the country. The government is very clear and cautious on what it is doing,” said Dr. Chanda.
“It is an additional tool in the fight against COVID-19. We need to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. Zambia stands tall on the response to fight COVID-19 as seen from the recovery numbers. Ndola Teaching Hospital has only one patient. The past year was very challenging for the country in the fight against this pandemic.”
He warned that if not careful, the new wave will come with the cold season at hand.
“Let me warn that we are not over with COVID-19, with this new cold season. The danger is that as we go in the cold season, we can have a new wave. Copperbelt will have 38,000 vaccines. This will be administered to the willing citizens and front line workers. We will begin with health workers in public and private health institutions.”
Dr. Chanda has assured that the vaccines are safe.
“We shall not allow any fake vaccines to come to Zambia. In Zambia we are giving the astrazeneca vaccine.”
Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe said the vaccine is very safe for the people.
“This vaccine is safe and people should get vaccinated by any means. There is no way a true leader can bring a vaccine which is not safe for the public. This vaccine is very safe, safer and safest for the people of Zambia.”
Ndola Teaching Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent Dr Joseph Musowoya said so far 200 people have registered for vaccination.
He said the other golden rule for prevention of COVID-19 is to go for vaccination.
