||Kharas vaccinates 14.3 per cent of its population

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The ||Kharas Region is ranked fifth in Namibia with regards to COVID-19 vaccination, with 21 per cent of its population having received their first dose, while 14.3 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.

These statistics were revealed by Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Emma Theofelus here on Thursday during a consultative meeting on the Access to Information Bill and COVID-19 vaccination engagement.

The deputy minister, while urging those who are eligible, to get vaccinated, said the same pharmaceutical companies that produce tablets for high blood pressure and other conditions are the pharmaceutical companies that are producing the vaccines.

“We can easily take pills for our headaches and pills to control our blood pressure, but yet we cannot take the vaccines produced by the same companies that produce the pills. The vaccines can save lives. It does not mean that if the next person is not vaccinated you should not get vaccinated, you might not survive the virus,” she urged.

On the Access to Information Bill, Theofelus said while the ultimate goal for the bill is making information accessible to each and every citizen, what the citizens use the information for matters.

“They can get the information and sit on it, they can share it to assist others or they can interpret it and apply it in their lives for the greater good. Sadly also, they can use it to cause harm, division and hate,” she said.

||Kharas Governor Aletha Frederick said access to information is critical and is a growing demand around the globe as it enables citizens to exercise their voices, effectively monitor and hold governments to account.

She added that the bill aims to promote transparency, accountability and effective governance of all public and private bodies.

“This bill will enable citizens to enter into an informed dialogue about decisions concerning issues that affect their lives. The bill is seen as a vital tool that empowers the citizens to actively participate in processes that strengthen democracy,” she said.

The governor also joined the deputy minister in the call for more people to get vaccinated, saying the same way the inhabitants of the region join hands and fight against the spread of COVID-19, they should fight against the virus.

“If we want to defeat COVID-19 and start enjoying normal life, like before, we must join hands and visit vaccination points in large numbers and get vaccinated. I am encouraging every eligible citizen to take the jab. Our best defence is herd immunity,” urged Frederick.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency