Dr Aceng said the Covid-19 vaccine ‘very safe’, after taking her first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine. She was the first person to receive the first shot as Uganda kick-started its first phase of vaccination.
With major doubts still popping up from many citizens about whether the AstraZeneca vaccine is up to standard, the government through the Ministry of Health has assured Ugandans that the Covid-19 vaccine is safe.
This was revealed by the health minister Jane Ruth Aceng on Wednesday as Uganda officially kick-started its first phase of vaccination at both Mulago and Entebbe referral hospitals.
“There is nothing peculiar about the jab. I have just taken it(jab) and I am not experiencing anything funny,” Dr Aceng said after taking her first jab of Astra Zeneca vaccine. She was the first person to receive the first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Her statement, however, comes days after Austria, a European country last week as reported by Reuters news agency suspended the use of the same vaccine that Uganda acquired after registering one death and serious illness of another from taking the jabs.
Aceng however, begged Ugandans to ignore the lousy talk and embark on getting vaccinated to be in a position to save not only their lives but the lives of others. She said the vaccine has passed several tests and has since been declared effective.
“It is important to know why you are vaccinating. Anybody hesitating to take the jab should know their health is their responsibility. If you value your life and that of your loved ones, vaccinate,” Aceng said.
Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the World Health Organisation representative in Uganda who also urged Ugandans to get vaccinated earlier enough reechoed that the vaccine is safe.
“This is proof that the vaccine is safe,” Woldemariam said, adding that vaccinating will not only protect an individual but also the community they live in.
The health Ministry, Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine said the process of vaccination will be done in a phased manner however, she assured that every Ugandan will receive the vaccine.
“In March last year, we didn’t know we would be here to launch vaccines. Embrace the vaccination exercise. We will move in stages because every life matter but we can’t access all vaccines at ago. We will do it in phases but everyone will receive the vaccine,” Dr Atwiine said.
Meanwhile, more than 300 individuals from different priority groups were vaccinated on Wednesday.
According to Dr Rosemary Byanyima, the deputy director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, 280 people were vaccinated at Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal hospital while 30 people were vaccinated at Entebbe hospital.
