HH Targets To Vaccinate 70 Per Cent Of Population

President Hakainde Hichilema has said that he plans to raise the COVID-19 vaccine target from 30 per cent up to 70 per cent in order to get the country protected from the virus.

The president spoke as he relaunched the COVID-19 vaccination campaign at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka last week.

“One of the things we said [whilst campaigning] is that we’ll manage this pandemic better when we form government. Now we are here; we are walking the talk. Today marks yet another day in us reinforcing our desire to bring under control this pandemic,” the President said.

“We target to vaccinate 70 per cent of our people. Please, let’s move away from the 30 per cent [initial target] to 70 per cent. Then that’s a reasonable vaccination rate to bring under control this pandemic,” he added.

President Hichilema also addressed concerns around vaccination by acknowledging their efficiency in protecting individuals from the COVID-19 virus.
”From the outset, allow me to state that vaccines work. Vaccines work! Science has told us that vaccines work.”

Health minister Sylvia Masebo added that it was important to stay vigilant in spite of restrictions easing.

“I want to reiterate that while COVID restrictions have been eased, this is not the time to drop the guard. We must continue observing the five golden rules and encourage everyone to get vaccinated,” she said.