02 Nov 2021

Buoyed by the recent success of Gaborone’s drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has decided to undertake a second beginning today until Friday. 

  Ministry chief public relations officer, Dr Christopher Nyanga said during a media briefing recently that the first campaign was a resounding success as it helped accelerate the vaccination target.

  “We are exploring on extending the campaign to other areas of the country like Francistown in the near future,” he said. 

 Dr Nyanga said through the campaign, more than 5 000 people were vaccinated in three days as opposed to the 1 000 per day over a four-day period as initially planned. 

The campaign attracted multitudes who exhausted the allocated vaccine stock in three days with 1 534 vaccinated on the first day, followed by 1 678 and 1 555.

 Dr Nyanga said as another congestion reducing measure, private entities had been roped in. 

He also said equity and fairness had been adopted to cater for people residing in hard to reach localities. 

As a result of the strategies adopted, the public’s willingness to vaccinate coupled with their spirit of encouraging one another to do likewise, the ministry had made great strides in vaccination, he said. 

Dr Nyanga said to date, 11.7 per cent (280 440) of those eligible were fully vaccinated while 29.3 per cent (703 802) had received their first dose. 

Minister Edwin Dikoloti revealed that to date, about 1.8 million COVID-19 vaccines had been rolled out. 

“We are currently touring the country to monitor our facilities and appreciate uptake of the vaccine. I applaud health practitioners in the North West District and members of the community for engaging strategies to ensure that people residing in not to easy access localities receive their doses,” he said. 

He said even though  vaccination was done in phases, those who missed their turn were allowed to come forward for inoculation.

On vaccine side effects, Dr Dikoloti said they were mostly minor and should not deter people from taking their jab.

 “I am confident that our people understand the need to vaccinate.  The law does cater for compulsory vaccination. I do not believe we will come to a point where people will be forced to vaccinate. I support all initiatives aimed at encouraging people to vaccinate,” said Dr Dikoloti. 

 Dr Dikoloti said all vaccines in use were recommended after undergoing thorough research while the  Botswana Medicine Regulatory Authority had undertaken assessment of  each vaccine’s  dossier. 

Meanwhile  a Greater Gaborone District Health Management Team media release says the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be used in the four-day drive-thru campaign at Notwane grounds and UB stadium parking lot. 

The release explains that the process starts with pre-vaccination screening at Notwane grounds after which a client will proceed to UB stadium parking lot for the jab. 

Clients, who should be aged 18 and above, will be vaccinated while sitting in their cars.

Requirements include some form of identification (Omang or passport) and pre-registration at https://fenyacovid.gov.bw/armready/ before coming for vaccination. 

The release says a maximum of four people per car is permitted adding that no walk-ins, motorcycles and trucks are allowed.

Those with underlying conditions are advised to consult their doctors before coming for vaccination. ends