KEETMANSHOOP – The first phase of the Covid-19 vaccination for the //Kharas region commences today.

Health and other frontline workers will receive their jabs during phase one, while the rest of the community will be accommodated during phase two of the programme.

//Kharas regional health director Sandra Owoses said this during a sensitising meeting for stakeholders in the region recently.

Owoses said the region received 3 471 Sinopharm and 140 Covishield doses of the vaccine for phase one.

“The ministry’s target is to vaccinate between 60 and 80% of the community in the region and we will continue with the programme until this target has been achieved,” she said.

Owoses then called on community leaders to inform residents on Covid-19 vaccination and make sure they turn up in big numbers when it is their turn.

“It is rather important that the community must be aware of the health benefits attached to getting vaccinated and that it is safe to get their jabs accordingly,” she said. 

Rufanus Kooper, chief medical officer at the regional directorate, echoed Owoses sentiments and ensured the community that these vaccines are safe.

“To date, no reports of severe effects were recorded after people were vaccinated in the regions of Khomas and Erongo, except for isolated minor ones,” he told the gathering.

Kooper added that the consent required prior to vaccination is just a way of people agreeing and understanding what health personnel are going to inject them with.

“This is in no way a sort of indemnity for the ministry. The ministry will take the responsibility if severe effects or death follow vaccination,” he said. 

Referring to a person’s right to refuse vaccination, Kooper said nobody will be forced to get vaccinated.

“The ministry will, however, inform all residents about the benefits of getting vaccinated against the coronavirus seen in the light that so many people are dying daily from it, but it will never demand from someone to take the vaccine,” he added. 

Kooper then called on //Kharas residents to turn up in big numbers in order to be vaccinated.

- sklukowski@nepc.com.na