Following the arrival of the initial doses of the Covid-19 vaccines in the country yesterday, Health Minister Dr. Jonas Chanda has announced that the vaccination program will be launched today at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where vaccination will be started.
Speaking during the routine Covid-19 update today, the Health Minister said the health workers who are in the frontline in the fight against Covid-19 will be the first to receive the vaccine as guided by Cabinet in the approved vaccine program for Zambia.
He said other groups that are at high risk will then follow, reiterating that the vaccination will be voluntary and not mandatory.
“We endeavour to ensure, those on the frontlines are safe to strengthen the country’s preparedness for any possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the cold season, we will also vaccinate those who are volunteering who are in charge of core societal functions.” Dr. Chanda said.
And Permanent Secretary Technical services Dr. Kennedy Malama said the vaccines are being stored in a special storage facility where vaccines are stored at national level at the National Program on Immunisation.
“We have made allocation to all the 10 Provinces of our country, in line with the prioritised categories.”
“Tomorrow is the National launch and strategically we are going to do this launch at the University Teaching hospital, and start vaccinating, tier one (1) the health workers. And from there we will ensure that all the provinces do their provincial launched and also District launches…. where the focus is actual administration of the vaccine.” Dr. Malama said.
And responding to a question during the update, University Teaching Hospital Director of Infectious Diseases Professor. Lloyd Mulenga said pregnant and breastfeeding women would not be eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine as clinical trials that evaluated the safety and efficacy of the vaccines did not include pregnant and breastfeeding women adding that this particular population would not be routinely included for vaccination.
He however said that as the vaccination program was voluntary, those that felt that the benefit of taking the vaccine was bigger than the risk were at liberty to be vaccinated.
“So far the data that has come out for some of them under the trials (pregnant and breastfeeding women) who were vaccinated is that they gave normal live births, no major events have been recorded, however those trials were not designed to answer the question if these vaccines were safe in the pregnant population.” Professor Mulenga said.
Is the president going to be the first to be vaccinated, as earlier promised?
Stay tuned…
WIth same vaccine other countries have suspended because of incidents of blood clots. We warned you before that this is unnecessary given Zambia’s success in combatting Covid. May it not lead to the death of anyone. Looks like we were pressured to do this either officially or unofficially as a bribe by big pharmaceutical companies
When other countries are stopping to take this vaccine that’s when we go with open arms to boast that we are launching vaccine programme.
Let them give us Pfizer if they want to help us.
What aboutpoliticians who will be travelling around the country campaigning? Shall it not be mandatory that they shall be vaccinated , both firse,before they travel out of their home?. If they do not want the vaccine, do virtual campaign and stay in your town.
@2 and 3, astrazeneca is safe. For women under 55, if they have lie pellet count, do not get it or let the doctor manage pellet kunt before going for it. Simple. Benefits of vaccination by far more than mild side effects in majority of population. Stop politicking and falling prey to geographical pharmaceutical companies funded America versus Europe versus Russia marketshare control war.
More than SIX months after other countries have started vaccinations, Zambians will FINALLY get theirs. As usual the corrupt PF government didn’t do anything and put the money for jabs in their POCKETS! Shame on you!
Stupidity Zambians as KK used to indicate, Vaccine……Vaccine…… What is the name of the vaccine? Go through the whole article there is no name mentioned for the vaccine to be launched!!!!!!!!!!!! RSA just yesterday has suspend vaccination of Johnson Johnson (JJ) vaccine for Covid19 due to blood clouting (Thrombosis) discovered among Americans after receiving the vaccine of JJ!!!!!!!!! Watch out Zambians!!!!!!!!!!!!
Momentous day. Let us start getting our lives back. No youth will get AstraZeneca or JJ. We have seen the effects it has had on the f00lish upnd diasporans. These brain dead bab00ns are full of blood clots in their heads. That is why they don’t make sense with their blogs here
Yes KZ it is a momentous day for senior military, police chiefs, the odd minister and other corrupt PF supporters. There are 80,000 doses that is for 40,000 Zambians – not enough for even all military and security services….. sorry, nothing for your corrupt arm!
Finally, the eligible people will be getting the vaccine!!! Thank You ECL!
We indeed cannot afford the third wave of the deadly virus. Hence the vaccine is a must for Zambians.
I think the government has taken the right decision by allowing the health and frontline workers to be the first to receive the vaccine as they deal with the Covid-19 patient on daily basis.
This is indeed great news! Looking forward to getting the vaccine. Let’s throw the deadly virus out from our nation.
The virus is for real! We must come together and support President Lungu’s government and its decisions. Unity is power!
I am sure HH must be planning something evil to target the vaccine and create chaos, as always.
We appreciate all the hard work President Lungu’s administration is doing to keep the people of this country safe.
I repeat, President Lungu has taken the right decision to appoint well-qualified Dr. Jonas Chanda as our health minister.
And we know what to do on the August 12 elections… ECL Beyond 2021!!!!
Extremely excited!!!!! Can’t wait to get the vaccine shot! Bye Bye virus!