Chad launched its vaccination campaign against Covid-19 on June 4 in N’Djamena, the capital, but also in the cities of Moundou and Abéché, after receiving 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, a donation from China. Since March 19, 2020, Chad has registered 4,938 positive cases of Covid-19, including 174 deaths.
as reported from Ndjamena, Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula
In June, Chad is expected to increase its campaign, as part of the Covax program. Meanwhile, 50,000 Chadians can already be vaccinated at seven vaccination sites. At this Ndjari hospital where we are, the waiting room is crowded. Nurse Hassan vaccinates against Covid-19 chain … “Are you okay?” It does not hurt? It’s over. “, He calms down before specifying:” These are the empty bottles and we are already over 100 since 8:30 “.
Surprise
For him, it is a surprise to see so many people come to be vaccinated. “Few Chadians believe in the existence of Covid-19,” he says, but his stockpile of vaccines is running out. “We get the doses daily to respect the cold chain. There, for example tomorrow, I had to download 200 doses and 200 syringes. People over the age of 65, medical staff or even candidates for the Hajj pilgrimage have priority.
“I’m afraid to catch it”
In the waiting room are those who feel the need to be vaccinated: “I did not feel anything, the bite is done quickly. I came from Ati by bus – it is over 400 kilometers away – to be vaccinated. Without a vaccine, I know I will not be able to go to Hajj because it is mandatory ”. And there are those who want to protect themselves: “If I come here, it’s just because I’m afraid to catch it. A month ago my wife almost died and it was at this hospital that she was rescued. When I found out that there was the vaccine, I came. Everyone must return in two weeks for a second dose injection.
Read also: Covid-19: in Chad, in Ndjamena limited, between fatalism and discontent
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