The first consignment of the Covid-19 vaccines allocated to Zambia have arrived in Zambia today.
To receive the vaccine at Keneth Kaunda International airport this afternoon, the Health Minister was accompanied by dignitaries from cooperating partners that include the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the World Health Organisation country representative, UNICEF Country Representative, the British High Commissioner, the United States Ambassador, the Europeran Union Country representative, the Japanese Ambassador, the Canadian Ambassador, the German Ambassador, the Indian ambassador, the Norwegian Ambassador, and the Saudi Arabia Ambassador among others.
Speaking after receiving the vaccine the Minister of Health reiterated that the benefits of the use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine far outweigh the risks reported to be related to the vaccine’s use.
He said Government is aware of some safety concerns that have arisen regarding some of the Covid 19 Vaccines that are being rolled out which includes the Astrazeneca vaccine.
“Governments desire is to protect the Zambian people and has since put in place communication strategies to dispel myths and conspiracy theories concerning the effects of the Astrazeneca Covid 19 Vaccines.” Dr. Chanda said.
The Health Minister commended President Edgar Lungu for leading a spirited fight against Covid-19, by leading the Covid-19 response and the vaccination programme.
Dr. Chanda also commended the Cooperating partners for their support to the Zambian government towards the fight against Covid-19.
And speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative Dr. Nathan Bakyaita said when the vaccines were being made there were stringent measures that were taken to ensure that they are safe, efficacious and are of good quality.
“Of course people have come up with stories about the vaccines and we are aware of that, so we have come up with a communication strategy that will be able to adress the information about the vaccine and pass it on, but in addition to that we have set up a system for monitoring any side effects that may come up as a result of the vaccine, because as you know, any medicine, any vaccine will have side effects.” he said.
IS THAT 228,000 DOSE ???
AS DOCTORS AND FRONTLINE WORKERS SHOULD BE FIRST IN LINE HOW MANY WILL BE REMAINING FOR THE ELDERLY ???
We will take a risk based approach but no young people will receive AstraZeneca as we can see the damages it has done to the brains of the already dull upnd diasporans. They blog with blood cloats in their heads.
I am back with bang. I was busy preparing for elections. Some celebrated that I had left lusakatimes. Mwanyala. This site cannot function without my input. It will die if I left. Some only come here to read my very objective and insightful comments.
Godspeed with the vaccination program. This is key to getting Zambia back on its feet and the country does not need people spreading false rumors or lies for whatever self-serving purpose. Anyone who truly cares for the country can plainly see that.
FACTS ARE FACTS NO RUMOURS NO FALSEHOOD GOOD FOR ZAMBIA YES YES YES
NO MENTION OF QUANTITIES AND THAT ID10T BLOGGER SAYING A LOAD OF NONSENSE
DRS AND FRONTLINE FIRST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! QUESTION IS HOW MANY WILL BE REMAINING FOR THE PUBLIC
Zambia has a population of 14 million+ and someone has gone to the airport to celebrate the arrival of 200,000 vaccines which are not even enough for frontline staff and the over 60s and this govt is not even sending a single penny its all donations you wonder where all taxpayers money is forwarded to…oh I forgot HoneyBee and over crooks.
Agony is being in the UK doing nothing and frustrated but claiming to be out in the bush campaigning for the ruling party….then not having to do so you rush back online.
Spuds – Wake up from your folly …all these covid-19 vaccines are experimental drugs hence there is no liability cover!!
@ Tarino, vaccines are not “experimental” as you say but have been approved for use by medical authorities on the basis of extensive testing and data analysis. Yes, more work is needed to measure the effectiveness against some variants, but effectiveness and safety overall is established fact.
As for liability, grow up and/or good luck suing COVID for “liability” when you are dead and the economy is totally on its knees. So far almost 3 million people worldwide have died from COVID against 172 million who have been safely vaccinated. If you are too scared to get the shot yourself don’t (your body, your right), but do the country a favor and stop spreading bad information. Vaccines are good news for Zambia!
Clots R US.
Let us give a huge welcome to this blood clot vaccine.
Our leaders are already mad, imagine how they will behave when they are filled with blood clots in their brains.
God help us.
Interesting….Even your debt masters China could not spare some you some their Chinese vaccines .
The WHO had to come to the rescue.
Funny enough, some bloggers here were even up in arms against vaccines from overseas.
But what can a beggar do….but beg ,beg and beg. This is the Zambia the PF have made for you.
PF and lungu should take these vaccines first then the rest of us
And it will take a months before vaccinating anyone. First they have to print T-SHIRTS with ECL for vaccines.
AFTER HIV-AIDS, EBOLA,SYPHILIS, ETC, I DON’T KNOW WHY AFRICA STILL TRUSTS THEM. WE CAN EASILY BE WIPED OUT STILL CUTCHING OUR BEGGING BOWL AS A BLACK RACE.
What kind of Dullness is this? You are busy receiving when the people giving it to you are discontinuing it because of the reported dangers; 666 is really here to stay and nobody can avoid it. let the Bible prophecy come to pass…. Jesus is surely about to come.
These guys are quick to airlift Covid-19 vaccines but fail to provide essential drugs which are in short supply in our health facilities country wide. It would be interesting if the Hon. Minister of health give statistics of how many people are being admitted and dying from BP, Diabetes, malaria, TB, AIDS/HIV, Liver and Kidney complications, Cancer related ailments in comparison to Covid-19. They are telling us that the vaccines will be administered to frontline staff what about the common victims the same frontline staff are serving end up? This whole issue supposed to be tackled as a whole not in piece meal approach, it will not solve the current situation. With the cold season approaching we are going to be told that there is new spike in Covid-19 and will start fire fighting approach…
It is better Zambia gets these vaccines after they have been tested in Europe and Asia. Some times it’s good to be last. Some side effects of these vaccines have been nasty. Mask up and social distance as always guys.