Tanzanians have responded positively to Covid-19 vaccination that took effect yesterday to the special groups of frontline workers, the elderly, and those with underlying health issues.
The vaccination are from the 1,058,400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine which was received as the first phase of the government arrangement with the Covax facility.
Government arrangements with Covax are to receive enough doses (nearly 11 million) to vaccinate up to 20 percent of the population.
The Health ministry’s Public Health Officer, Dr Tumaini Haonga said that, since President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched nationwide inoculation, there has been frantic demand for the jab across the country, a positive sign in the fight against Covid-19.
Dr Haonga said – without telling actual numbers – that there has been a positive turnout observed at the established inoculations centres across the country. At the ministry site also people have been pouring applications and requests for appointments.
“There is demand for vaccination, and if it persists then the government might soon order a new phase of the vaccinations, even on social media the issue has been discussed positively,” he said.
The country’s commercial hub, Dar es Salaam – which received 160,000 vaccine doses – has shown a good response according to the Region’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rashid Mfaume.
“Over 10,000 people have already booked to get vaccines and we are afraid the jabs will be finished soon,” he said.
In addition, the regional commissioner, Amos Makalla, has also announce that the region is set to start observing protocol at public transport including level seats and mass masking and social distancing.
“Due to challenges students faces on public transports, I allow daladalas to carry only five students who will stand but on the condition that they must wear masks,” he said.
Meanwhile, scores of editors and journalists and wives of political leaders also turned up at Karimjee Hall in the city yesterday to receive the jab as they decided to lead by example in spearheading the Covid-19 vaccine message.
SOURCE: THE CITIZEN.