Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Govt won’t compromise on vaccine

Home National Govt won’t compromise on vaccine
Govt won’t compromise on vaccine

President Hage Geingob yesterday assured his administration will not compromise on the health and safety of Namibians by procuring Covid-19 vaccines that are not effective.  Geingob, who also availed himself to receive the first jab once the vaccine becomes available, pleaded with citizens to be part of the vaccination campaign. 

“Rest assured that the government will not do anything to compromise the health of our people,” he stated while also announced an extended curfew albeit with adjusted hours of 22h00 and 05h00. Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula yesterday announced the country is likely to take delivery of its first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine later this month.  

The first batch will be mainly reserved for frontline workers and the vulnerable and will only be enough for 20% of the population. The country needs to vaccinate about 60% of its population to achieve herd immunity. Shangula confirmed talks are ongoing with countries such as Russia, China, India and the US to procure additional doses to cover the remaining 40% of the population. 

He said so far, the country has made progress in preparation to acquire suitable covid-19 vaccines as it has made financial commitment to purchase doses sufficient to vaccinate 20% of the target population through the Covax facility. 
“We have put in place mechanisms to ensure country readiness to roll out the Covid-19 vaccines.
A national Covid-19 deployment and vaccination plan has been developed and a Covid-19 vaccine task force was established,” he added. 
The minister said that the task force was established with a purpose to review the latest evidence, training needs of the health workers and all regulatory, legal and safety frameworks to ensure a high-quality vaccination campaign. 

He further assured that the Namibia Medical Regulatory Council is providing the necessary guidance and regulatory oversight.  “In Namibia Polio, Measles and Tuberculosis prevention vaccines have worked very well to protect our people and to date, we have those diseases under control. 

“The Covid-19 vaccination campaign will be rolled out under our Expanded Programme on Vaccination (EPI),” said Shangula. 
The health minister further stated that Namibia will collaborate with Botswana in areas related to the procurement of vaccine, regulatory approval of vaccines and delivery of vaccines. 

Rapid tests
Meanwhile, Shangula, who praised the country for doing relatively well when it comes to Covid-19 tests, said the ministry has completed the validation of antigen rapid test kits. 
“This will allow for speedier and timely isolation of positive cases as well as expedited testing for departing tourists for jurisdictions that accept negative rapid test results for returning passengers,” he said. – ljason@nepc.com.na