The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kitgum, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Kitgum district COVID-19 task force is considering mass mobilization to increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in the district.
William Komakech, the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner says that this is in response to the low uptake of the vaccines by frontline workers, who were initially listed as the priority recipients of the vaccine. These include health workers, teachers and security personnel who were reluctant to take the jabs for more than a month since the vaccination exercise started.
Kitgum district received 3,120 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines. But statistical data obtained from the district health department indicates that by Sunday, April 25, only 537 people had been vaccinated. The data indicates that out of the registered 720 health workers, only 192 have received the jab, 144 teachers had received the jab against the targeted 1,189, and only 47 security personnel have been vaccinated.
Komakech says the vaccine hesitancy among the front line workers who should have been exemplary is uncalled for and requires immediate intervention since their conduct is portraying a negative perception to the populace on the exercise.
A section of front line workers talked to but preferred anonymity expressed their unwillingness to take the jab over controversies surrounding the AstraZeneca vaccine and fears of the side effects and long term adverse health effects of the vaccine.
The Kitgum District Health Officer Alex Olwedo attributes the slow uptake and purported hesitance of the exercise to the misinformation and negative rumours peddled on social media and the doubts cast over the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Dr Olwedo however says the vaccines are safe and called on the populace to desist against undermining the vaccination rollout saying the vaccines are safe and efficient.
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