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MBABANE – In a bid to break the myth that the COVID-19 vaccination could develop side effects among people with disabilities, the Disabled Women’s Organisation (DIWESWA) is driving a vaccination campaign.

DIWESWA Director Buyi Masuku stated that they began the exercise in 2021 through assistance from the Africa Disability Alliance in Pretoria. This exercise, she said, would end around March 20, 2023. Masuku said the country was among those that were selected by the organisation in Africa including Mo]ambiTue, Malawi, =ambia and =imbabwe. She said persons living with disability (PLWD) showed, reluctance in terms of vaccinations, following that they believed they could develop side effects due to their condition.

Campaign

Masuku stated that during the campaign, they encouraged PLWD not to be left behind and that their condition could not in any way become a barrier for vaccination. According to the director, the PLWD felt that they

were vulnerable, the vaccination was strong and resulted in side effects for some people. “As ambassadors for PLWD, we were encouraging them to get vaccinated and that it was safe and an advantage for them.”

The director stated that during the campaign, they had also discovered that some of those PLWD had an interest to vaccinate but were prevented by their condition as they could not reach the areas for vaccination. She said a majority of the PLWD had not vaccinated and the campaign had helped reach some of them. Masuku said their wish was reaching all PLWD in the country.