Peter Odok, the officer in charge of Okidi Health Center II in Atiak Sub County wonders why the government is rushing to vaccinate Ugandans when there is no clear information about the effectiveness of the vaccines. He cites other countries that recently suspended the use of AstraZeneca vaccines due to the serious side-effects on recipients of the vaccine. Odok says they are very skeptical and demands for more knowledge and assurance before he can take his vaccination.
Health workers in Amuru district are reluctant to get the COVID-19
vaccinations over unclear information regarding the AstraZeneca vaccines.
On Wednesday last week, the district launched the
vaccination of health workers but to-date, less than 100 health workers have received
their vaccinations.
Peter Odok, the officer in charge of Okidi Health Center II in Atiak
Sub County wonders why the government is rushing to vaccinate Ugandans when
there is no clear information about the effectiveness of the vaccines.
Citing other countries that recently suspended the use of
AstraZeneca vaccines due to the suspected deaths of patients who had got the vaccine,
Odok says he is very skeptical and demands for more knowledge and assurance before
he can take his vaccination.
//Cue in: “I have not
Cue out … information about that”//
Another health worker who preferred to speak on condition of
anonymity says that task force and the government have taken their time to
sensitize them as health workers but also as Ugandans about the vaccine.
Dr Patrick Odong Olwedo, the Amuru District Health officer
says that they are planning to start a sensitization drive among the health
workers and the priority groups so that they are vaccinated. Odong attributes the low turn up of health workers to the
various social media messages and clips which de-campaigned the vaccine and
vaccinations.
//Cue in: “there was a
Cue out … the vaccination”//
Michael Lakony, the district LCV chairperson fears that if the
population are not properly sensitized, it could affect the resumption of education
saying other targeted groups would be reluctant to get their vaccinations.
On Friday, The European Union medicine regulator declared the AstraZeneca vaccines safe for use following concerns and suspension of the administration of the vaccines in countries including Italy among others.
Amuru district has a total of 486 health workers in the. The district registered about 38% of the COVID-19 cases which mostly
came from Elegu town council which sits at the border with South Sudan.
Michael Ojok is a multi-channel reporter based in Gulu district (Northern Uganda). He is interested in humanitarian stories, culture, conflict, peace, environment, health and education.
Michael Ojok
Freelancer