Massive turnout for Malawi vaccination programme

Covid-19 vaccination programme in Malawi was suspended at the end of June after the country ran out of vaccine doses.

RUSTENBURG, July 26 (ANA) – A high turnout of people have registered at vaccination centres in Malawi on Monday, as the country resumes its Covid-19 vaccination programme, Malawi media reports.

Radio station Capital FM reports that the resumption of the vaccination has brought relief to Malawians who are desperately waiting to get their first and second jabs.

The vaccination programme was suspended after the country ran out of vaccine doses at the end of June. Vaccine doses were expected to arrive in the country in early July but were delayed.

At least 385,242 people had received the first jab while 43,165 people had completed the dose, when the Covid-19 vaccination programme was stopped according to media reports.

Vaccination resumed after 192,000 vaccine doses arrived in the country on Saturday.

Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda says the country has secured enough doses and encourages those who have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to visit the vaccination sites to get their second dose.

“Remember the AstraZeneca vaccines requires one to receive two doses for one to be fully protected,” she said in a statement.

“As the vaccination programme resumes let me assure the public that we have secured more doses of the vaccines and they should be in the country in the next few weeks hence no need to panic.”

Broadcasting station Zodiak on its online publication reports that Inkosi Mabilabo in Mzimba has appealed to government to take Covid-19 vaccination to rural areas, adding that most villages are experiencing Covid-19 suspected deaths.

Photographs published by Zodiakonline showed a long snaking queues of people waiting their turn to received the Covid-19 jab.

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi two weeks ago, said the shortage of Covid-19 vaccine hinders African countries to vaccinate their populations.

“The global shortage of vaccines, is making it difficult for African countries, including Botswana, to vaccinate their populations.

“It has become even more challenging for some of our fellow African countries to follow up on the second vaccination of their people,” he said during his national address.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay