Government has resolved to step up the level of sensitization around the COVID-19 vaccination. The decision was taken in Yaounde during an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute. The session aimed at evaluating both short and long term measures put in place to by the vaccination team as well as ways on how to broaden the exercise.
The vaccination programme which was launched some ten weeks back targets some 812 000 persons for the period up to 31 July 2021. Public Health minister Manaounda Malachie says just 13% of the said target has so far received at least the first dose of the vaccine.
He said as at now, just slightly over 68 000 thousands persons have taken the first dose of the vaccine compared to what was expected. The minister said more efforts will have to be put in place in order to have at least 5000 persons take the vaccine daily.
The hesitancy was blamed on heavy misinformation surrounding the vaccines. It was agreed that intensification of information and education remains key to overcoming the anti-vaccine propaganda over the social media.
“We decided under the instructions of the PM to intensify our campaign on sensitization, try to organize a press conference and we will bring our experts who will come and explain that vaccine is a necessity,” said Rene Emmanuel Sadi, communication minister.
“Some measures will be taken so that people who will not have the vaccine may be will not be capable of travelling. We will do our best that there should first of all be convinced and reassured by their experts. In the future, they might see that if they don’t have the vaccines, a lot of things will not be available for them,” Sadi added.
Cameroon currently has over 80 090 confirmed cases with over 77 305 recoveries, 1310 deaths and 1475 active cases with 152 in intensive health care units and 23 on oxygen. Health minister puts the recovery rate at 96%.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
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