Africa-Press – Tanzania. VACCINATION exercise against Covid-19 officially took- off in Mwanza yesterday, with 90,000 doses being received, according to Regional Medical Officer (RMO), Thomas Rutachunzibwa.
He said yesterday during the launching event at Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital that there were a total of 27 vaccination centres in the region, three in every council, with an exception of Mwanza City Council, which has five centres due to a high population.
“The same applied in Sengerema Council, where we have set four centers. The priority is three groups as it has been announced– health service providers, those aged 50 years and above, as well as people suffering from chronic disease, including diabetes, cancer and hypertension,” said the RMO.
According to him, nearly1, 000 people registered online for the vaccine as of yesterday, and many more who did not register online showed up at the vaccination ground yesterday. However, he advised vaccinated people to continue adhering to all Covid-19 precautions. “Vaccination doesn’t prevent transmissions, but making a person strong to overpower the disease, in case one becomes infected,” he said.
He cautioned that one might also experience some side effects, including an increase in body temperature for a few hours, which is part of the vaccines’ characteristics, but no harm. Launching the event, the Regional Commissioner (RC), Eng Robert Gabriel, who was the first to get the jab, advised the citizens to avoid false information hovering in streets and on social media.
He said that corona vaccine is like any other Tanzania has been importing to administer to its people, including the one for polio. “We have always been importing vaccines and used them, with nobody getting harmed in any way. “We currently have ARVs also for people living with HIV/AIDS. The drugs are coming from abroad and play an important role to many users in various parts of the country.
Let us avoid the misinformation. Only the government has a true voice over its people’s safety,” said the RC. Sekou Toure Medical in Charge, Ms Bahati Msaki affirmed that over 200 service providers were already on the list for the corona vaccine and registration exercise was ongoing.
Despite priority to elders, the ‘Daily News’ observed youths queuing to have the shots. A-20 year old Kirumba resident, Ms Flora Elisha was among the youths, saying that the way authorities educated members of the public encouraged her to have the service.
