DR Congo to launch Covid vaccination drive

The DR Congo will kick off a Covid vaccination drive next week, the government said Wednesday, despite persistent public wariness over potential side effects from the drugs.

People will start receiving shots across the vast central African country from Monday, Interior Minister Gilbert Kankonde said on state television. Anti-Covid vaccination is a sensitive issue in the DR Congo, where conspiracy theories air widely on social media.

“Vaccination will be voluntary, and preference will be given to healthcare staff, vulnerable people with chronic illnesses and all those who are highly exposed (to the virus) while carrying out their work,” Kankonde said.