Chief of the Ombalantu Traditional Authority, Oswin Mukulu says the COVID-19 vaccines should be seen in the same light as any other vaccinations and immunizations administered to protect people against diseases and viruses.
Mukulu made the remarks in a recent interview with Nampa in which he expressed concern over the low vaccination update in the country and high hesitancy and misinformation around the COVID-19 vaccination.
“Vaccination is not new, it has been in existence even before independence. It has been there for the protection against different diseases and viruses and this one is no different. People must see it through that light. I want to encourage people to go get vaccinated, the same way they got vaccinated or immunized against other diseases. The vaccine is there to protect against a virus, it offers you strength to fight the pandemic,” he said.
During the interview, Mukulu highlighted challenges of the previous year, saying 2021 will forever be marked in the history of Namibia, as one challenging year, where many people were wiped out by one virus in a short period of time.
“Our people were sick, people struggled especially with making a living. We lost many able people, who we thought were going to take our country and our communities forward, he said adding that, 2021 was also a year when Namibians showed resilience, and many did their part in complying with regulations.
He said the Ombalantu TA remains committed to the fight against COVID-19 and will continue to play its part in helping people understand the virus, and called on other traditional authorities across the country to continue support to the COVID-19 fight.
He further called on the Ministry of Health and Social Services to ensure that trained officials are sent into communities across the country on a regular basis to explain and answer questions on issues of COVID-19 vaccines and the pandemic in general.
“The Ministry must train people and send them in the communities to explain things to people and allay fears among the communities,” he said.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
