Blantyre, Malawi – The Malawi government, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a new COVID-19 vaccination campaign in response to a recent surge in cases across the country. The campaign will cover 10 out of the 29 districts in Malawi and aims to increase the number of people receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Nsanje District, located in the southern region of Malawi, currently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases recorded this year. According to George Mbotwa, spokesperson for the district health office, there have been 17 new cases in the past three weeks, including some health workers. However, the good news is that some of these health workers have already tested negative and are on their way to a full recovery.
As of Monday, Malawi has recorded a total of 89,202 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,686 deaths since the first cases were reported in April 2020. The Ministry of Health believes that the new vaccination campaign will help increase the number of people getting vaccinated, as some areas in Malawi have a vaccination rate as low as 40%.
The campaign is also being funded by the WHO and aims to prevent any wastage of the vaccine, as was seen in 2020 when the government had to dispose of nearly 20,000 expired AstraZeneca doses. This wastage was a result of vaccine hesitancy, with many people expressing concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
However, the government’s recent public health campaigns on the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations have helped to overcome this hesitancy. Mary Chawinga, a mother of two from Machinjiri Township in Blantyre, has already received the vaccine and is now waiting for a booster shot. She believes that prevention is better than cure and is eager to get her children vaccinated as well.
Habeeba Nyasulu, another mother of two, also received the COVID-19 vaccine during the first campaign and encourages others to do the same. She understands that the vaccine may not prevent someone from getting infected, but it can significantly reduce the severity of the illness. Nyasulu believes that the only way to truly be safe is if everyone gets vaccinated.
Maziko Matemba, a community health care ambassador in Malawi, emphasizes that the threat of COVID-19 is still very much present in the country. He explains that Malawi was not able to vaccinate the required number of people, as the target was 11 million Malawians, but only 2-3 million were vaccinated. Matemba believes that the key now is to ensure that the vaccine is available in the right places and to encourage more people to get vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health has identified 10 districts that have recently recorded new cases and will be the focus of this new vaccination campaign. These districts include Machinga, Blantyre, Dowa, Mzimba, and Nsanje. The goal is to reach as many people as possible in these areas and protect them from the virus.
In conclusion, the new COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Malawi is a positive step towards controlling the spread of the virus and protecting the population. It is essential for everyone to understand the importance of getting vaccinated and to trust in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Let us all work together to overcome this pandemic and ensure a healthier and safer future for Malawi.
