Vaccine: Only second doses available at coast
Currently, no first doses of the Covid-19 vaccines are being administered at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, while cases and deaths countrywide continue to surge.
LEANDREA LOUW
WALVIS BAY
Government’s Covid-19 vaccine campaign has slowed down at the coast, with second doses available in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
As of 22 June, 11 435 people have received their first dose of the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines, while 1 838 have received their second dose.
Yesterday morning, at Walvis Bay’s only permanent vaccination site - stationed at Welwitchia Hospital - only first doses of the Sinopharm vaccine were available. The vaccination station at the Walvis Bay State Hospital was moved to the private hospital as the area is now being utilised for isolation.
One of the nurses stationed at vaccination site said they have slowed down on administering first doses of AstraZeneca.
“As soon as we have confirmation that more doses of AstraZeneca are on its way, we will start administering the first doses. There is stock, but for now, we have simply slowed down and are administering the Sinopharm vaccines.”
She explained that about 28 days need to be pass before the second dose of Sinopharm is administered, and about three months for AstraZeneca.
Anna Jonas, the health ministry’s regional health director for Erongo, said the region is now focusing on second doses of the vaccines.
“We have put in a request from our line ministry for more. I still need to confirm, but we used the last batch yesterday. The public will definitely be informed once more arrives.”
Erongo governor Neville Andre said there are first doses available, but they are limited.
We’ll take what we can get
At the vaccination station, young and old trickled in to get the jab. The general feeling, especially amongst young people, is that they’ll take any vaccination available.
“As long as I take the vaccine, I am happy. I am scared the vaccines will finish,” a Walvis Bay resident said.
Meanwhile, Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys issued a letter to the minister on behalf of a group of 167 residents, demanding answers pertaining to vaccinations.
“It has become evident that Namibia hopelessly lacks vaccinations and the hope that the colonialists and/or neo colonialists will donate vaccinations to Namibia is void and empty. It appears that these vaccinations ran out today [Wednesday] in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
“Kindly urgently advise what your strategy in relations to these vaccinations [is],” the letter read.
“How many vaccinations are still presently available? What number of those vaccinations are going to be used to complete the second round of vaccinations? What remedy and/or medication does your ministry have available to substitute and/or supplement the vaccinations once they are no longer available for the entire population?” the group asked.
Neither health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula nor the executive director Ben Nangombe responded to questions on the situation at the coast.
[email protected]
WALVIS BAY
Government’s Covid-19 vaccine campaign has slowed down at the coast, with second doses available in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
As of 22 June, 11 435 people have received their first dose of the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines, while 1 838 have received their second dose.
Yesterday morning, at Walvis Bay’s only permanent vaccination site - stationed at Welwitchia Hospital - only first doses of the Sinopharm vaccine were available. The vaccination station at the Walvis Bay State Hospital was moved to the private hospital as the area is now being utilised for isolation.
One of the nurses stationed at vaccination site said they have slowed down on administering first doses of AstraZeneca.
“As soon as we have confirmation that more doses of AstraZeneca are on its way, we will start administering the first doses. There is stock, but for now, we have simply slowed down and are administering the Sinopharm vaccines.”
She explained that about 28 days need to be pass before the second dose of Sinopharm is administered, and about three months for AstraZeneca.
Anna Jonas, the health ministry’s regional health director for Erongo, said the region is now focusing on second doses of the vaccines.
“We have put in a request from our line ministry for more. I still need to confirm, but we used the last batch yesterday. The public will definitely be informed once more arrives.”
Erongo governor Neville Andre said there are first doses available, but they are limited.
We’ll take what we can get
At the vaccination station, young and old trickled in to get the jab. The general feeling, especially amongst young people, is that they’ll take any vaccination available.
“As long as I take the vaccine, I am happy. I am scared the vaccines will finish,” a Walvis Bay resident said.
Meanwhile, Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys issued a letter to the minister on behalf of a group of 167 residents, demanding answers pertaining to vaccinations.
“It has become evident that Namibia hopelessly lacks vaccinations and the hope that the colonialists and/or neo colonialists will donate vaccinations to Namibia is void and empty. It appears that these vaccinations ran out today [Wednesday] in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
“Kindly urgently advise what your strategy in relations to these vaccinations [is],” the letter read.
“How many vaccinations are still presently available? What number of those vaccinations are going to be used to complete the second round of vaccinations? What remedy and/or medication does your ministry have available to substitute and/or supplement the vaccinations once they are no longer available for the entire population?” the group asked.
Neither health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula nor the executive director Ben Nangombe responded to questions on the situation at the coast.
[email protected]
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