Govt rolls out covid-19 vaccine campaign
Govt is rolling out Covid-19 vaccine campaign in 10 districts starting from Monday, January 29, 2024.
Ministry of Health deputy director of Preventive Health Services, Dr. Mike Chisema says in a memo the targeted districts include Machinga, Dowa, Mzimba, and Nsanje.
He expressed concern that the vaccine uptake among high-risk groups remains low, as only 47 percent of the elderly and 34 percent of people with underlying health conditions were vaccinated.
Dr. Chisema says the campaign will receive financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO), with technical support from implementing partners.
He stressed the move will also help improve the vaccine utilization to avoid expiries.
A health rights activist, Maziko Matemba, has welcomed the campaign, saying most people are at risk of contracting the disease as the country missed its initial 11 million-people vaccination target.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson for the quasi-religious organisation Public Affairs Committee (PAC) Monsignor Patrick Thawale has asked all Malawians to observe hygiene practices in the wake of fresh Covid-19 and cholera cases in the country to stem further spread.
Monsignor Thawale speaking on Sunday after mass at St. Andrew Kaggwa Parish in Lilongwe warned that life is a gift from God hence should be protected.
“Covid-19 in back and cholera is in our midst. Let us practice hygiene and if you doubt yourself, wear a mask to protect others,” he said.
Malawi has seen a resurgence in Covid-19 and cholera cases this year, with at least 16 Covid-19 and at least 50 cholera cases registered to date.
