By September 17, 2021, the Ministry of Health had managed to vaccinate about 237,930 (43.3%) across the country while 88,825 (16%) had received their second dose out of a target of about 550,000.
The ministry’s Director General, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, says the exercise is low.
“This is still very low to allow for safe re-opening of schools. We note on the other hand that a number of districts have adequate stocks of vaccines to cover teachers, non-teaching staff and support staff,” Dr. Mwebesa says.
Going forward, he says, “All students above 18 years should now be prioritized and vaccinated as a precondition to going back to school.”
The issue of vaccination of teachers and all workers in schools, including students in tertiary institutions of learning above 18years, will be a major consideration.
Dr. Mwebesa revealed that the government is currently having discussions on how to re-open schools.
As such, he said: “I would therefore like to appeal to you to direct your District Task Force to utilize the district structures to mobilize all teachers, non-teaching stat, support staff and students above 18 years to go for COvID-19 Vaccination as a matter of urgency.”
He also asked the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to direct District Health Team and Implementing Partners in the district to plan and conduct targeted outreaches/camps for the said category of persons in the most convenient and accessible places before the end of September 2021.
Otherwise, the DG said, “The Ministry of Health is providing the necessary vaccines and logistics for this exercise.”