VACCINES BENEFITS OUTWEIGH RARE NEGATIVE EFFECTS, SAYS HEALTH MINISTER JONAS CHANDA

By SIMON MUNTEMBA THE benefits of the COVID19 vaccination far outweigh any negatives such as formation of blood clots, which are rare among recipients of some vaccines noted globally, minister of Health, Jonas Chanda has said. Dr Chanda said yesterday that the local and global health experts having reviewed the medical reports agree that the benefits of the vaccines far outweigh any risks. “The concerns surrounding the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson about clotting events have been reviewed in the USA, Europe and other countries, and indeed the health experts finally agree that the benefits are vast and in order to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, this intervention is key to protect lives. Many countries that had “temporally suspended” use of these vaccines out of caution to best understand the side effects have now re-started vaccination with AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson, including in the USA and most European countries,” Dr Chanda said. He emphasized that while there had been very few and very rare side effects among recipients of some vaccines globally, the local and global health experts having reviewed the medical reports agree that the benefits of the vaccines far outweigh any risks. He said Government has continued to ensure continued preparedness to manage any COVID – 19 upsurge in the country using locally generated resources as well as support from many partners. Meanwhile, Dr Chanda said the COVID – 19 Vaccination Programme has continued to progress well with all districts now providing the service. He said in the last 24 hours, 3,537 people received the COVID – 19 vaccine countrywide. Dr Chanda said the national cumulative now stood at 12,543 of whom 32% are healthcare workers. He said others among the those targeted in the first pillar that have accessed the vaccine include religious and traditional leaders, immigration and other sports staff, police and security personnel, teachers, transporters and prisoners among others. “We encourage all eligible adults above 18 years of age to voluntarily get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity,” he said. He also said in the last 24 hours, 66  new cases were recorded out of 4,896 tests conducted representing a positivity of 1.3% were reported. Dr Chanda said the cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded to date stood at 91,317.  “We have admitted to our COVID-19 isolation facilities nationally 45 cases. Among those admitted, 39 (85%) are on Oxygen therapy and 10 (22%) are in critical condition,” he said. He said 147 were discharged from both the COVID-19 isolation facilities and home management, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 89,403 (98%).