GET VACCINATED

THAT more Zambians are reported to have responded positively and been vaccinated against the Covid-19 pandemic is a sign that the country is on the right trajectory in its efforts to contain the pandemic.

It is a plus for the Ministry of Health and others spearheading the Covid-19 fight that their efforts are not in vain.

Amidst misinformation from some quarters in the nation to dissuade people from getting vaccinated, the opposite has been happening.

As of yesterday, more than 100, 000 Zambians were reported to have been vaccinated against the Covid-19, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary - Technical Services, Dr Kennedy Malama disclosed this in Lusaka.

Following the vaccination of 4, 943 persons against Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the cumulative number of those vaccinated now stands at 100, 373.

The number can be said to be encouraging since vaccination is voluntary. The authorities have confidence that Zambians will make an informed decision and accept to be vaccinated on their own.

What is important is for the health authorities to maintain the robust public Covid-19 awareness drive that has been put in place.

With the campaigning for the August 12 tripartite elections getting into full swing, it is important that sensitisation is maintained and even stepped up.

There is a danger that in the excitement that goes with political campaigning, people will forget or ignore to observe the Covid-19 health protocols that emphasise masking up in public in particular.

We implore the public and more especially political leaders to heed the advice from Dr Malama in which he has urged the general public to continually adhere to the five golden rules of masking up correctly and consistently, maintaining physical distance and washing hands frequently or using hand sanitiser.

Public rallies are among what are described as super spreader events. This is the more reason why even the Electoral Commission of Zambia has advised political parties to avoid them if possible.

Dr Malama said people should also avoid crowded places if possible, particularly super spreader events, or stay at home.

We do not think avoiding to hold public rallies will make people lose interest in the elections. With all the technology that has developed, political parties just need to change their strategies in the manner they interact with the public and retain their interest.

In the meantime, we applaud the Ministry of Health that no death from Covid-19 has been recorded in the last 24 hours.

Dr Malama also disclosed that in the last 24 hours, Zambia recorded 94 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 out of 4, 940 tests conducted giving 1.9 percent positivity, spread across all the provinces.

The nation must ensure that the Covid-19 pandemic is contained, and as we have pointed out, vaccination is a sure weapon to protect citizens from being infected.

People must not pay attention to the lies and myths being told about the Covid vaccines.

These, as the Ministry of Health has explained are safe and their efficacy has been subjected to stringent tests locally and globally through the World Health Organisation.