Machinga records highestCovid-19 vaccine uptake

Machinga District has been identified as the country’s best performer in Covid-19 vaccination uptake.

This is according to findings from Unicef and the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) which indicate that the district has recorded 75 percent against the country’s average of 70 percent.

Speaking yesterday during a stakeholders meeting that Unicef and USAid organised, Machinga district chief preventive health officer Alfred Phiri described the achievement as a milestone.

He said: “After getting the support from Unicef, we ensured that all communities are involved in this campaign.

“It was unique for the district because even chiefs themselves were the ones demonstrating and encouraging their subjects to get vaccinated.”

Traditional Authority (T/A) Mizinga whose area was the best performer in the district, said he ensured that there was strong coordination among stakeholders.

“We were in the forefront in getting the vaccine to lead by example. We also encouraged our family members to get the vaccine and dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding the vaccine,” he said.

Paramount Chief Kawinga of the Yao urged government to consider promoting traditional leaders who are determined to support the government’s efforts to realise its development agenda.

“These are chiefs that deserve special recognition because it is not that easy to convince people amid misinformation from social media to get vaccinated,” he said.

However, during the meeting it emerged that two villages of Mbawe and Chindu in T/As Nsanama and Mlomba, respectively, recorded a 100 percent Covid-19 vaccine uptake.

A report from Machinga District Health Office indicates that, cumulatively the district recorded 1 025 Covid-19 cases and 45 deaths.