Maria Kandjungu
Ministry of health executive director Ben Nangombe has said if Namibia’s Covid-19 vaccination uptake continues at the current slow pace, it will take the country at least three years to reach herd immunity.
Namibia is not on track to reach herd immunity by vaccinating 60% of the population by March 2022, nor is the country on track to reach the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of vaccinating 70% (1 779 271) of the eligible population by mid-2022.
The WHO defines herd immunity as the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune, either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infections.
According to data provided by the ministry of health, by 15 February 2022, Namibia had administered 435 020 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine (23.5% of the target population). Only 20.7% of the target population, or 369 035 people, were fully vaccinated by the same date.
The daily vaccination uptake rate currently stands at 1 000 persons on average. “At this pace, it will take us approximately three years to reach the remaining target of 1 410 236 people,” Nangombe said in an interview with Nampa, adding that by then, more lives will have been lost to the pandemic.
By 21 February, the pandemic had taken 4 002 lives in Namibia.
According to Nangombe, the main challenge hampering government efforts toward reaching herd immunity is vaccine hesitancy fuelled by misinformation and myths spread by people who are opposed to vaccination.
“Unfortunately, we are battling two diseases – one is the Covid-19 pandemic and the other is the disease of false information. Misinformation, misconception and myths continue to circulate on social media, discouraging people from getting vaccinated. Many people end up learning the hard way. They don’t get vaccinated or they are discouraged from getting vaccinated and when they get infected, they are affected adversely. This is what we don’t want,” the executive director said.
Nangombe said ‘anti-vaxxers’ and those spreading misinformation on vaccination are damaging the country socially and economically.
“Vaccination is the only way we can revive the economy. It is the only way we can hope to return to some form of normalcy. We have already lost over 4 000 lives within the last two years to one virus and we will lose more if we do not do our part to end this pandemic. Each and every Namibian should take personal responsibility to be our brothers and sisters’ keepers. Other countries have reached herd immunity and lives are returning to normal. Namibia can do it too. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones.”
Nangombe stated that the ministry would continue to develop activities aimed at encouraging people to boost uptake. He said thus far, the ministry has spent over N$300 million to secure enough vaccines doses to protect and save lives. Separate funds were also spent on vaccination campaigns and awareness creation activities.
“Vaccines are available at all our health facilities, including all clinics, and we have mobile teams in all regions moving from one point to another in efforts to bring vaccines closer to the people. Vaccines are safe and are proven to be effective in preventing serious illness and reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death due to Covid-19. Get vaccinated to protect yourself and help end the pandemic,” said Nangombe. -Nampa