Enhance vaccine sensitisation, Govt urged
By SANFROSSA MANYINDA
GOVERNMENT has been urged to boost sensitization programmes among members of the community on the Covid-19 vaccines so that people do not get both the Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca.
Pharmaceutical expert, Jerome Kanyika, said the lack of sensitization on the matter could cause problems for the country.
But, Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) Director, Victor Mukonka, said it was not possible for people to get both vaccines.
Mr Kanyika said if not handled well, members of the community would be lining up to get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine when they had already gotten the AstraZeneca vaccine, a situation he said was worrying.
Mr Kanyika said it would be better for the Ministry of Health and ZNPHI to enhance sensitization on the vaccines.
“The two vaccines are very different from each other and cannot be taken at the same time. We have people that may think the AstraZeneca was not better than Johnson and Johnson that is why they would want to get both not knowing that it will be dangerous for them.
“AstraZeneca has got two doses while Johnson and Johnson only has one shot and this is what makes the two very different to be mixed in one’s body,” he said.
Mr Kanyika said it was important to let the people know that the combination of the two vaccines could result into severe complications.
He explained that the side effects that may come with the combination of the vaccines could be dangerous.
Complications and side effects, he said, could cause serious problems death inclusive because they may not be managed or treated immediately.
He added that it would be wrong for the government to assume that the common person in the community knew the difference between the two vaccines that the country.
But Prof Mukonka explained that a system was in place to detect whether the person who was about to receive the vaccine had already received or not.
He said that the history of all those that go for vaccinations were recorded and that a proper cross check system was very accurate.
Prof Mukonka however cautioned health professionals to pay extra attention and ensure that all the people were screened.
