DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 30 (NNN-IRIN) – Authorities in Tanzania’s Zanzibar, yesterday expressed concern, over what they described as a slow pace in the vaccination against COVID-19.
Abdallah Suleiman Ali, director general in the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare, Elderly, Gender and Children, said, only 10,866 people have been vaccinated by Aug 24, against 85,000 doses received in June and July.
Zanzibar launched the COVID-19 vaccination campaign on July 22.
Ali said, previously the jabs were intended for frontline workers, including health workers, employees in the tourism industry and the elderly, but because of the poor response, authorities allowed other members of the public to get the jabs before the vaccines expire.
While urging more people to get the jabs, the official said, the vaccines are safe and have been approved by the World Health Organisation, adding that, the vaccines will help to minimise risks of serious infections of the pandemic.
Zanzibar, with an estimated population of 1.5 million, intends to vaccinate at least a quarter of the population by the end of this year.
Zanzibar’s health ministry said Saturday, the number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 876 from 390 cases recorded on Aug 10, while the number of deaths jumped to 40 from 15, recorded on Aug 10.
On July 31, Zanzibar received a batch of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines donated by China.
This was the second batch of vaccines donated by China to Zanzibar, after it made the first donation for frontline health workers in June.
