Despite increased information on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine and repeated assurance that Zambia will only accept proven vaccines, skepticism has continued with people expressing reservations on whether to take it or not.
On Wednesday, April 14, the government officially launched the vaccination program in which it targets to vaccinate about 8.3 million of the eligible population from 18 years and above.
The program is being undertaken in a phased manner on a voluntary basis with the first phase targeting health workers and other people the most at risk.
The first pillar is under the COVAX Facility consisting of 228,000 doses of AstraZeneca manufactured in India while other vaccines are expected to come from government collaboration with cooperating partners and the private sector.
The government has since come up with a communication strategy aimed at creating awareness of the exercise.
Despite government assurance that the program is voluntary as well as assuring the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, a cross-section of people are still skeptical and unwilling to take up the vaccine.
This has mainly been fueled by myths surrounding the vaccine being peddled on social media that the vaccine is dangerous.
“They will have to drag me to the health center if they want me to be vaccinated, otherwise me and my family will not take part in this program. With all these stories we are hearing, it is only safe to stay away,” said Charles Malanga, a resident of Lusaka, the country’s capital.
He added that it is difficult to trust the programs coming from the west because “there is no smoke without fire.”
His views have been supported by his colleague Leonard Nkhata who feels that he is not comfortable taking the vaccine despite assurances from the government that it is safe.
Zambians have since taken to social media to express their views on the vaccination program, with some people supporting it while others expressing misgivings.
Facebook enthusiast Mulenga Bwalya said it is too early for him to get vaccinated, adding that he will wait to see what will become of those that have been vaccinated.
“I will give those who were tested 3-5 years and see if no one will kick the bucket,” he wrote.
Mutinta Haimbe wondered how the COVID-19 vaccine has been found within a short period of time when there is no vaccine for HIV/AIDS which has been around for years.
“If the virus is mutating, why rush for the vaccine now? In my opinion, it is important first to really get to know this virus well. As it is now, it is very clear that the scientists have not yet known what surrounds the virus,” she said.
Others, however, have supported the vaccination program, saying it will go a long way to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
“That’s a good step in the right direction. The vaccine will help prevent the spread of the pandemic,” Aaron Mwaba said on Facebook.
Zachariah Mwamba, a resident of Lusaka, feels that the vaccination program should be supported by everyone as it will help to prevent the spread while Mercy Sakala says the government needs to do more to raise awareness on the importance of being vaccinated.
The government says it will enhance its awareness drive so that a good number of eligible people to be vaccinated are reached.
Minister of Health Jonas Chanda said the launch of the vaccination program signifies the government’s commitment to fighting the pandemic.
A communication strategy launched will be rolled out to all parts of the country as the vaccination program spreads to all districts, said the official, stressing that there have been no adverse effects from people who have so far been vaccinated since the launch of the vaccination program in the country.
The Zambian minister, who was the first to take the vaccine as a medical doctor, said only a few reports of common side effects with other routine vaccinations such as headaches and pains at the point of injection have been noted.
He said in a statement that a surveillance system has been put in place to tackle any concerns that might occur as the country rolls out the vaccination program.
He reiterated that the government was aware of the negative reports concerning the vaccines but assured that the vaccination program is being done in a cautious manner and that only vaccines that have been authenticated as safe will be allowed in the country.
Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) Executive Director Karen Sichinga said people should trust the vaccines because they are meant to save lives.
She encouraged citizens to take the vaccine as the government has done its homework before launching the program.
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