13 000 people vaccinated across the country
Local businessman’s house used for vaccination of VIPs
Following the Government of Botswana’s receipt of the first two batches of COVID-19 vaccines on 9 March 2021 and 27 March 2021 respectively, the Ministry of Health and Wellness started vaccinating Batswana and other residents on 26 March 2021.
By design, the vaccination program prioritised people aged 55 and above and targeted the following areas: Ngamiland, Greater Francistown, Greater Gaborone, Serowe, Kweneng East, Greater Selebi Phikwe and Kgatleng. These are the areas where most severe illnesses and deaths occurred.
As at 2 April 2021, a total of 12 945 people had been vaccinated across the country. For one to be vaccinated, they should first register through the online platforms that have been provided eg. https://dhis2sms.gov.bw/vaccine/. Those who are not able to register online can visit some designated areas that the ministry has identified.
Information about the registration areas can be sourced from the various District Health Management Teams across the country. Although some areas have been designated as registration centres, members of the public are encouraged to register online, if they can. This is to avoid overcrowding in vaccination centres which may also risk spreading the very disease that the ministry is fighting hard to prevent.
The public is informed that the current roll out program is in keeping with the National Vaccine Deployment Plan Phase one with the main aim being to strengthen the health system through protecting the most vulnerable. Due to the limited available doses and the need to actively protect the most vulnerable, as of the 06 April 2021, a decision has been made to prioritise the elderly above the age of 75 years who continue to register high numbers of severe disease and death in all districts across the country.
The ministry further wishes to inform members of the public that it recently made a call for assistance from the private sector and others with venues for registration and vaccination for COVID-19 vaccines. Following the appeal, some local business people came on board including one local business man who offered a house in Gaborone, Extension 11, which the ministry determined that it be used to register and vaccinate VIPs and other senior members of the society like Ministers, former Members of Parliament, members of the Judiciary and other elders within the proximity of the site.
However, at the beginning of this exercise some teething problems were experienced. These have now been rectified. Registration for vaccination at the site and others across the country, follows all the guidelines that have been shared with members of the public in our public outreach platforms.
So far, six venues have been secured following the said appeal. The ministry thanks the private sector for having responded to this call and appeals for more assistance.
[*Christopher Nyanga is the Ministry of Health’s spokesperson and he submitted this press statement on behalf of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary