The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially launches its coronavirus vaccination campaign this Monday, April 19th. The ceremony will take place at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Kinshasa. This means that the first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were inoculated on 2 March via the Covax mechanism.
as reported from Lubumbashi, Denise maheho
Many Congolese are still skeptical, saying they are wary of the AstraZene vaccine and its side effects are at the center of debates in several countries around the world.
Mr. Godefroid Kisimba is 67 years old. Last year he was infected with Covid-19 but survived. Asked if he is ready to be vaccinated, he remains skeptical: “No, it does not inspire me to self-confidence. For me, at least, here in Congo, I can not be vaccinated despite my age. I protect myself and pray to my God ”.
Same reservations for Peter. Agent in the air traffic control of the international airport in Lubumbashi, he is one of the target group for the start of this campaign: “I, I refuse this vaccine. There are Western countries that have refused this vaccine, because it seems that this vaccine has very unfortunate consequences for people who have accepted it. “
This skepticism is accentuated by a lack of communication and awareness of the side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This is the view of a doctor from Jason Sendwe General Hospital in Lubumbashi, who requested anonymity: “We should specifically train healthcare professionals so that we can understand the overview of this vaccination. But nothing has been done yet. However, it is we who must make the population understand the benefits of vaccination. “
At present, no official Covid-19 vaccination announcement has been made in Lubumbashi. Sources close to the province’s Ministry of Health indicate that the local response team is awaiting instructions from Kinshasa.
Listening too: Will AstraZeneca’s adversity slow down vaccination?
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