By SANFROSSA MANYINDA
THERE has been an increase in the number of Zambian citizens seeking the Covid-19 vaccine because they have now gotten the correct message, Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) has noted.
ZNPHI Director, Victor Mukonka, said people had realized the importance of the vaccine after getting the right message from credible platforms that the the Ministry of Health and other authorities had provided.
Professor Mukonka was happy that health personnel across the country were disseminating the right and quality information and in layman’s language for everyone to understand.
He noted that the perception was now different from the recent past when people refused to take the vaccine because of the myths and misconceptions.
Over 16, 000 Zambians have so far been fully vaccinated with the both the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“We have seen that all those that had doubts about the vaccine rushing to get vaccinated, meaning they now have the correct information.
“The other thing that has changed the minds of the people is seeing prominent people especially those that were in the government leading in taking the vaccine,” he said.
Prof Mukonka said people had also realised that Covid-19 was real after witnessing the huge number of deaths in the past three months.
He said some of the deaths recorded were closer to those that were doubting the existence of the pandemic, hence the change of the mindset.
Prof Mukonka however advised those that had not gotten the vaccine to get as soon as possible so that they could protect themselves from the virus.
