By Austine Kachilika

Mzimba, August 16, Mana: World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed concern over the low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Mzimba District.

Speaking during the district’s Gender Technical Working Group, WHO Representative, Dr Chris Kalisa said there is need to intensify efforts to ensure that people are vaccinated in the district.

He said: “Even though COVID-19 is no longer a public health threat, there is still need to intensify vaccination since only 38% of the population in the district is vaccinated.”

Kalisa said socio-cultural factors such as misinformation, myths as well as cultural and religious beliefs are some of the key drivers that promote low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in the district.

“Despite lacking credibility, people tend to believe in COVID-19 misinformation, myths as well as cultural and religious beliefs. People tend to be easily persuaded by them”, he said.

Kalisa said WHO and the Malawi Government have reached an agreement to fully adopt COVID-19 vaccination into National Immunisation and Primary Health Care programmes.

Mzimba South Director of Health and Social Services, Dr Prince Chirwa said adopting COVID-19 vaccination into National Immunisation and Primary Health Care programmes will improve efficiency in service delivery.

He said: “By adopting COVID-19 vaccination into National Immunisation and Primary Health Care programmes, there will be enhanced demand and will address the existing inequalities that hinder the availability, accessibility and acceptance of COVID-19 jabs in the district.”