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Covid vaccination delays in some areas
A health worker at Masaka hospital administers the Covid-19 vaccine at the launch of the exercise in Masaka on March 11, 2021. PHOTO/ MALIK FAHAD JJINGO
What you need to know:
- In Amuru, Dr Patrick Olwendo Odong, the district health officer, confirmed that they have received the vaccination but are waiting for directives from the ministry to start the exercise.
The national vaccination of health workers against Covid-19 did not take place in most parts of the country as had been anticipated.
Some health workers said they had not yet received the vaccines by yesterday.
Other health workers had not received logistics for the exercise.
In Sheema, Mr Dickens Atwongyeire, the district health officer, said though they have received vaccines, they do not have documentation materials such as vaccination cards and consent forms.
“We have the vaccine; 3,000 dozes but we haven’t received documentation materials. We will start vaccinating once they have been sent. Health workers were trained and are ready,” Mr Atwongyeire said.
Similarly in Kampala, Dr Daniel Okello the acting director of public health and environment at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), said Kampala is yet to vaccinate the health workers.
“Yesterday was the launch (Wednesday) so we waiting for logistics from National Medical Stores,” Dr Okello said.
Ministry of Health had earlier communicated that vaccination of health workers was to kick off on March 10 and end on March15, although this did not happen in most parts of the country.
Dr Celestine Barigye, the director of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, said they have received the vaccines but will kick off vaccination exercise today or Monday.
In Amuru, Dr Patrick Olwendo Odong, the district health officer, confirmed that they have received the vaccination but are waiting for directives from the ministry to start the exercise.
By yesterday, Gulu had not yet received the drug according to Dr Yoweri Idiba, the district health officer.
Just like Gulu, Rukiga, Rubanda and Kabale districts have not yet received vaccines, their health officers said.
In Kabale, 800 health workers have been prepared for the exercise, 283 in Rukiga and 427 in Rubanda.
The Health spokesperson, Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, said some districts such as Lwengo and Kyotera have launched the exercise.
Dr Florence Tugumisirize, the director Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, said they are waiting for communication from the line ministry concerning the vaccination at the facility.
Dr Tugumisirize, however, did not clarify whether the vaccines had arrived or not; but earlier, a source said they are registering all staff before the exercise starts.
In Buyende and Kamuli districts, the vaccines arrived but authorities said they would issue them out next week.
In Namutumba, Namayingo and Bugiri districts, authorities said they will roll out the vaccines once they arrive.
In Greater Masaka, the vaccination exercise kicked off well with medics, police officers and teachers being given special consideration.
At Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, at least 40 medics out of the targeted 1,000 in the district, were vaccinated yesterday. Dr Faith Nakiyimba, the district health officer, said they have so far received 4,630 doses and urged the public to ignore all the myths surrounding vaccination.
“There has been a lot of misinformation about this vaccination, but I want to assure the public that it is safe. I call upon all people to embrace it,” She said
On the first day, 30 people were vaccinated in Mityana, Dr Fred Lwasampijja, the district health officer, said, adding that of the 5,000 targeted for vaccination under the first phase, 3,500 are health workers.
Dr Edward Muwanga , the Kyotera District health officer, said they have so far received 3,000 doses and the exercise will be conducted at five centres, including Kalisizo Hospital, Kakuuto Health Centre IV, Kyebe Health Centre III, Kabira Health Centre III and Kasaali Health Centre III.
In some districts such as Mubende, Mpigi and Mukono, the exercise is expected to kick off today.
Dr John Bosco Ssendikaddiwa, the Mubende District assistant health officer, said they have so far received 7,015 doses against their target of 30,000 people in the entire district.
Mpigi Health Centre IV received 600 doses, Dr Francis Mukwaya, the officer-in-charge of vaccination, said.
By Nobert Atukunda, Suzan Nanjala, Milton Bandiho, Alfred Tumushabe, Robert Muhereza, Al-Mahdi Ssenkabirwa, Jessica Nabukenya,Malik Fahad Jjingo & Gertrude Mutyaba, Denis Edema and Sam Caleb Opio
