Solwezi General Hospital Deny Reports of Vaccine Refusals

The Medical Superintendent of Solwezi General Hospital, North-Western Province, has come forward to dispel rumours that members of the public have been turned away from getting their Covid-19 jab at the facility. 

Dr. Namwaka Mukunyandela came forward to clarify that rather than the hospital denying patients vaccines it is, in fact, the patients declining the jab on the basis of manufacturer. Dr. Mukunyandela explained that, despite the hospital having an available supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine, this has been repeatedly turned down in favour of Johnson & Johnson, which is out of stock at the hospital.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is administered by a one-off dose, unlike AstraZeneca which requires two doses, and Dr. Mukunyandela claims this contributes to it being preferable amidst visitors to her hospital. 

“Johnson & Johnson started as a once off dose and it has been liked by many as the preferred vaccine for Covid-19 but unfortunately as a hospital we have run out of this,” Dr Mukunyandela said.

The Superintendent stressed that no one was being turned away from receiving the vaccine by the hospital, but rather choosing to shun the only available stock of vaccine.

“I am aware there is a report that people feel that they are being chased or turned away from Solwezi General Hospital… but I would like to dispel this belief. Currently for Solwezi General Hospital we have AstraZeneca vaccine and the AstraZeneca vaccine is two doses… so you take the first dose after six weeks to eight weeks then you take the second dose…and many people are avoiding this,” she said.  

Dr Mukunyandela also added that there remained lingering belief among the people of the district that the AstraZeneca vaccine carries a greater risk of blood clots, and death. Keen to arrest these concerns too, Dr. Mukunyandela added that the hospital has yet to record any adverse effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine since they started administering it in April 2021, and encouraged the public to come forward and receive the available jab.  

This call for greater vaccine uptake in North-Western Province is concurrent with the efforts of President Hakainde Hichilema, who relaunched Zambia’s Covid-19 vaccination programme last week with the aim of vaccinating 70% of the eligible population. The President stressed that vaccination the population is critical to the success of the nation’s fight against the pandemic.