BE POSITIVE ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINE, MISA URGES SCRIBES

By SANFROSSA MANYINDA THE media has only been listed as part of the first beneficiaries of covid-19 vaccines because of the important role that they play and the fact that they interact greatly, MISA Zambia Chairperson Helen Mwale as said Ms Mwale said she had noted the concerns by some journalists and other stakeholders on the authenticity and validity of the Covid-19 vaccines. The Ministry Health announced on Tuesday that journalists and health workers would be among the first group to receive the vaccine. Ms Mwale therefore advised members of the media to be very positive about the matter and appreciate Government’s move. She said the pronouncement that journalists would be part of first recipients of the Covid-19 vaccines next month should be welcomed by all well-meaning Zambians. “We have been assured by the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders that the vaccines are safe for use,” she said. Ms Mwale said journalists and other media practitioners who were frontline workers continually risked their lives when collecting and disseminating news and information to the public. She stated that MISA Zambia recognized the various essential roles that the media played in providing information, hence their safety and protection against the pandemic needed to be prioritized. Ms Mwale also expected the Government to further provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) and other tools to enable journalists to carry out their work diligently.